Fresh plans ready for Blackpool Airport

A revised planning application for the first phase of [pin url=”https://explore.deetu.com/pnw/#blackpool-airport-enterprise-zone”][/pin]Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone is to be submitted by the end of this month.

The hybrid application will include a revised location for the eastern access road, and set out the level of sports facility provision the developer must provide given that existing sports pitches are to be demolished under the plans.

The application has been drawn up by Preston-based Cassidy + Ashton Architects, which has been working with the airport’s owner Blackpool Council on the project since 2018. C+A won a £1m contract this month to carry out a series of studies and design work for the redevelopment of Blackpool Airport, after bids for the scheme closed in December.

C+A is tasked with undertaking feasibility studies and producing concept designs for the provision of new and replacement hangars, determining the best locations for car parking sites and exploring the proposed relocation of operational facilities such as the air traffic control tower, fire station and an administration facility. The concept designs are expected to be ready by the end of March.

The design builds upon a masterplan for the airport produced by Mott McDonald and York Aviation in 2018.

Another tender is due to launch in the first quarter this year to provide an upgraded airport perimeter track and crash gates, followed by another tender in March for further works including drainage.

Construction is already underway on 0.8-acres of land at Amy Johnson Way for two industrial units and associated car parking spanning 15,000 sq ft to house a local events and exhibition company.

Additionally, work has begun to provide a new airport boundary fence to separate off the proposed replacement grass sports pitches.

A decision on the hybrid application is subject to consideration by the Secretary of State because the site will require a Green Belt de-designation, and that is expected by late spring.

Since July 2018, Blackpool Council has invested £1m into the airport, including hiring staff, implementing an Instrument Landing System and adding taxi-way lighting.

Since the Enterprise Zone’s allocation in April 2016, a total of 73 companies have set up operations at the site, creating 1,520 jobs, according to the council.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of Blackpool council and chair of Blackpool Airport, said: “The appointment of an architectural consultancy [brings us] a significant step closer to seeing next-generation development on site and the studies will help to inform the airport team in decision-making and prioritisation of potential future development at the airport.”

Blackpool Airport is in “urgent need of regeneration”, she added. “It is important we get it right from the outset.”

Lawrence McBurney, architect and director at Cassidy + Ashton, added: “We are delighted to have been appointed to the framework agreement. Feasibility studies are a critical phase of any regeneration project and we recognise the important role we will play in helping to shape the future of the Enterprise Zone.”

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Sounds good.there is a lot of potential at the airport and a lot of missed opportunities.If Manchester or liverpool have problems,we are on the doorstep.onwards and upwards.please.

By D oldham

just re open the airport for flights to europe i really miss flying from there.

By tony

We need the airport to reopen for flights to Europe. I’m sure Blackpool would benefit from visitors coming into the town. I really miss the convenience of not having to travel to Manchester to catch a flight to Spain. I’m sure it would be a popular move to reintroduce flights again

By C. Rhodes

Try to keep the airport as an airfield otherwise buildings will take over

By Roy

Forget the so-called “business case” commmercial-accounting approach. Perform a proper socio-economic audit and see what real total benefits an airport linked to Ireland, the south-east of England, and western Europe will generate. It is not tax spending, it is a fantastic capital investment opportunity..

By James Yates

Where are the plans for public assessment? The article mentions Blackpool but it should be in Blackpool as the Blackpool and Fylde residents will be impacted. I personally don’t want the airport at all.

By Kate

Let’s hope it (gets of the ground) seriously potential in Blackpool, hope it opens in the coming future. A born and bred blackpool lad.

By Anonymous

Give Ryanair a 20yr lease. Don’t like the guy but he could potentially regenerate the town. Unfortunately councillors are more concerned with power than helping the town move forward.

By R.clow

Priority should be to get blackpool airport open for European flights as soon as possible i used to fly to Alicant on a regular basis much better than Manchester much less hassle

By Wilf greaves

We all miss the airport, it was convenient right on our doorstep and it was a really busy airport. If it was managed properly it would bring in more tourists as some people prefer to fly rather than get the train and also the residents of Blackpool and surrounding areas would be able to access this airport. I wish someone would re-open this and genuinely make it work. So please open it up as the airport again

By Anonymous

My husband and I used the airport regularly and we miss it Greatly! Please Re open as flights were so easy and efficient from there. It seemed to be developing nicely so came as a shock when it was closed to European flights.

By Karen Edwards Westhead

Please please get our International airport back, it will regenerate Blackpool and can only help it’s economy. Should never have been allowed to close typical of Blackpool Council no idea.

By Jackie

Blackpool residents loved having the airport on our doorstep, I hate having to go to Manchester or Liverpool to go to Spain or Portugal. Blackpool Airport was so much friendlier and a better service and I am sure opening our airport would bring revenue in to Blackpool and surrounding areas. I have lived in Blackpool all my 60 years and really do miss our airport.

By Linda

More importantly get another exit road put in, the more development the more chaos getting out of the site. Traffic lights if necessary, and restart public transport. You give no thought to workers and are you now going to start charging us to park at work.

By Lyn Barnes

I am locally born, & the operational airport here is sorely missed as an alternative to Manchester & Liverpool. How many people know that Blackpool is the oldest airport in the UK? We regularly flew to Portugal from here & was obviously more convenient than the other two airports. However, where did the extra £10 we all paid for “free” parking & ” Airport development” disappear to?? Please re-open as an International Airport ASAP, tourism will benefit in every aspect.

By T Francis

Can everybody still remember the £10 regeneration fee the arsehole council where charging up until the day it closed!!! This town council are a set of crooks

By Nigel

Before we could begin to even think about International Flights, what are we going to do about a passenger terminal? We haven’t got one, remember?.. We demolished it, and built a Fracking College (There’s a laugh) So that’s needed, and there’s the runway to consider, can’t see that being up to Snuff by now. Scanners to buy, Fire Trucks to buy, bowsers to buy for fuelling, conveyors to buy for loading. I’ve scratched the surface here, and it’s daunting already. Not an earthly in my humble opinion!

By Jonnymac

It’s flights that are needed here not football pitches!

By Michele jones

should never have been closed I used it a lot saved all the hassle of going to Manchester which it seems is just one big building site hate the place

By G brown

Need direct flights to China bringing new tourists who havent experienced Blackpool before and filling up hotels. I bet they would love it.

By Fred Lister

It’s the people of Blackpool Airport we need a airport and football ground you built enough houses you chopped down trees you closed rounds on the moss traffic around that area is bad leave the football field alone that the only green space left

By J Turner

Bri back the airport and trade into blackpool

By MrFrank Curran

World Class Exhibition Centre is perfect!! Entertainment capital of the UK and why not make the most of it… total no brainer

By Neil

Looks amazing! If there isn’t a contractor involved yet Armitage Construction would love the opportunity to tender.

By Hadrian Farrimond

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