Building the case for growth

Lancashire’s new Growth Plan and the role of the built environment in boosting the county’s economy were put at the heart of a summit attended by industry professionals.

The challenge of the ‘viability gap’ between the total cost of a development and its projected market value or revenue, which is preventing some programmes from seeing the light of day, was also put under the microscope.

And the influence of the net zero agenda was another topic for debate at Lancashire’s Built Environment Summit.

The specially invited audience, which also included experts from higher education, examined the skills challenges facing the sector.

Other areas discussed and debated included planning and support for the supply chain along with the impact an elected mayor can have on funding and decision making.

The summit, which took place at Blackpool Football Club’s Bloomfield Road stadium, had the title ‘Get Lancashire Building’.

Councillor Brian Moore, cabinet member for economic development and growth at County Hall, talked about what the new combined authority’s growth plan means for housing, infrastructure and regeneration.

He described it as “a growth plan for the whole of Lancashire” and added: “Infrastructure is central to the plan. We have got to create jobs but we have also got to get people to them.”

He also highlighted the role Lancashire’s new business board had played in the plan’s development.

The event was organised by Lancashire Business View in association with Blackpool Makes It Work, Blackpool and The Fylde College and Harrison Drury Solicitors.

TCB Designs was an exhibitor supporter.

The summit will be covered in full in the November/December issue of Lancashire Business View.