Growth Plan shows ‘strength and opportunity’

Lancashire’s newly unveiled Growth Plan is a “reminder” of the strength of the county’s economy and its opportunities.

That was the strong message from Aidy Riggott, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for economic development and growth, speaking at the Convention of the North in Preston today.

Cllr Riggott also highlighted the collaborative work that had taken place during the two-day gathering of Northern leaders, including conversations around the development of the region’s cyber corridor.

He told journalists: “The growth plan is a real reminder how important our economy is, one of the biggest in the North, and the opportunities we have.”

He said the plan, now out for consultation, showed that Lancashire’s new Combined County Authority was “focused on getting what needs to be done.”

The pipeline of major development and infrastructure projects contained within the plan set out a 10-year investment package valued at more than £20bn.

Its authors say: “If supported, both locally and nationally, this investment will transform Lancashire’s economic prospects and contribute to the government’s mission to supercharge the nation’s growth performance.”

The combined authority’s growth plan has identified ‘Lancashire’s Central Belt’ running along the M55-M65 corridor and anchored by Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn and Burnley as its “primary economic focus”.

The plan aims to develop that central belt, which contains most of the county’s major employment zones, largest population centres and “strategic business innovation assets” into a “cohesive economic area” creating a “super corridor”.

Major plans for Lancashire’s Warton Enterprise Zone were also unveiled at the conference.

They include the creation of a new University of Lancashire facility called ‘Altitude’ set up to pioneer a new cluster of future air and space technology.

Altitude features one of Europe’s largest indoor netted environments for ‘Uncrewed Aerial Systems’, research labs, classrooms, a business incubation hub, and a multi-use event space.

In a statement the combined authority said: “The goals are to deliver industry-leading technologies, foster collaboration, and enhance lifelong learning.

“The impact of this initiative kickstarts wider Warton EZ activities, leveraging strengths in aerospace, space, engineering, and cyber application sectors

Through the Growth Plan, we aim to capture investment to accelerate regional development and next-generation technology opportunities.”