Redevelopment at Enterprise Zone under way

The first steps of expansion at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone have been taken, which will ultimately see the site attract 5,000 jobs.

Since being granted Enterprise Zone status in April 2016, the Enterprise Zone has already attracted more than 50 businesses that have located to the area and created to date more than 700 jobs.

And now expansion has begun with the appointment of specialist engineering and environmental design consultancy BWB Consulting to carry out preliminary transport highway assessments.

If successful, a new eastern road will be constructed by 2020 which will unlock further land for further development.

The comprehensive traffic assessment will include traffic counts at key junctions throughout the locality, provide initial concept designs for the road layout, and address any transport issues, including parking, walking and cycling elements associated with future development and the impact of jobs growth over the next 23 years.

The new eastern road would provide a much needed second access point to the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone and help to ease congestion during peak commuter hours in the local area and surrounding feeder routes to junction 4 of the M55.

Blackpool Cllr Mark Smith, cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and economic development, said: “It is great to see the traffic assessment underway as it’s a crucial first step towards securing planning permission and releasing much needed development land.

"There is a high local demand for more quality employment space and Blackpool Council are keen to unlock development plots to meet this need. We want local businesses to stay on the Fylde Coast and create sustainable jobs for the local community and not be forced to look elsewhere for suitable premises to meet their growth requirements.”

Rob Green, head of Enterprise Zones, added: “Since the marketing boards were erected, the Enterprise Zone team has seen an upsurge in property and land enquiries for the site which is very encouraging for the development and testimony that the delivery of the Masterplan is moving in the right direction to provide modern, quality, employment solutions.”

Blackpool Council recently allocated £28.8m of funding for an initial three year period to deliver essential infrastructure to help secure early investment in the site, kick start development, build momentum and reinforce market confidence. It is projected that over the next 23 years the 144 hectare site will help to transform the Blackpool and Fylde Coast’s economic base with over £300m private investment, will attract up to 5,000 new jobs supported by new infrastructure, 140 new businesses on site by 2030 and develop, convert or re-purpose 260,000 sq m of potential floor space.