Contract out for £10m Lancashire Energy HQ

Blackpool & Fylde College has launched the search for a contractor to build a training facility for the energy sector, the flagship development within the newly-designated Enterprise Zone at Blackpool Airport.

The Lancashire Energy Headquarters will be built on the site of the existing airport terminal building and car park, which will be bought from airport owner Balfour Beatty. A planning application has been submitted for consideration by Fylde Council and a decision is expected by February 2016. IBI Group is the architect.

The terminal will be demolished and rebuilt closer to the runway.

Around £6.2m of Lancashire Growth Deal money has been allocated to the scheme.

The construction contract is valued at between £4m and £6m. The project is now open for expressions of interest for the pre-qualification stage, with tenders open in February 2016.

The contract will include site enabling works following the demolition, the construction of the Energy HQ building, hard and soft landscaping and the erection of wind turbines.

Start on site is scheduled for March 2016, and completion is expected in June 2017.

Blackpool Airport ceased to operate regular flights in October 2014, but continues to support a number of specialist operators and private aviation activities.

The airport was awarded Enterprise Zone status earlier this month, bringing tax breaks for new occupiers and fast-tracked planning.

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership first submitted a bid for the EZ to government in January this year, and its plans were publicly backed by Chancellor George Osborne in the March budget.

The LEP predicted the enterprise zone could support 140 new businesses, develop 1.8m sq ft of commercial floorspace, and help create 3,000 new jobs by 2030.

The deadline for submitting an application is 18 December at 5pm.

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