Councils launch consultation for Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone

A consultation has started on the 356-acre Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, one of the largest projects of its type in the country, which could provide a mix of office, industrial, retail, a hotel, and leisure space.

The site straddles the boundary between Fylde, which forms just over half of the site area, and Blackpool, with much of the site sitting within designated greenbelt. The site has multiple stakeholders with almost 40 freehold and long leasehold property interests, and more than 200 occupiers.

The consultation documents outline a series of developments that could be brought forward over a 25-year period across a number of sectors.

These include offices ranging between 27,000 sq ft and 2,000 sq ft; a 10-acre bus depot; an 80-bedroom hotel, and a 32,000 sq ft training college.

The Enterprise Zone is also expected to host a range of industrial units, with design and build opportunities for projects between 540,000 sq ft and 10,800 sq ft.

Other potential developments include a gym, pubs, restaurants, and residential.

These will be delivered on a phased basis over 25 years, with the first phase to run between 2018 and 2023, followed by a second phase between 2023 and 2030, and a third and final phase running from 2030 to 2038.

The first phase will see the South Eastern section of the site developed, which is intended to open up access to the industrial hub of the Enterprise Zone, which will be centred on the former airport buildings and terminal.

Consultation on the Enterprise Zone started on 9 November and will run until 21 December. Following the consultation process, the masterplan will be finalised before being presented to both local authorities for adoption in early 2018.

The professional team includes IBI, HOW, and Mott MacDonald.

Balfour Beatty sold Blackpool Airport, which makes up the largest part of the Enterprise Zone, to Blackpool Council for £4.25m in September this year.

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