Electricity supply for 230,000 sq ft of commercial development at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone has been confirmed.
Electricity North West will provide 5.8 MVA of electricity supply across seven substations at the Eastern Gateway site, paving the way for eight new commercial units.
The development plots, which will consist of units ranging from 15,000 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft, will be available from late 2023 and will be targeted for Class B2 and B8 industrial and warehouse use, specifically aimed at advanced manufacturing, energy, food and drink production and digital technology sectors.
The units will be serviced by a new multi-million pound highway providing an additional access to the Enterprise Zone with construction expected to begin later this year.
The 10.5 hectares of land unlocked as part of the Eastern Gateway by providing 14 new football pitches at the southern boundary of the Enterprise Zone. In addition to the football fields, a designated changing room pavilion, new 3G football pitch and rugby pitch will also open in June once the new road junction at Division Lane West has been completed.
Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Levelling Up – Place at Blackpool Council, said: “This is a really exciting step forward for the Enterprise Zone and for any developers or occupiers who are looking at investment in the site.
“Unlocking the land and securing the power are major steps towards new commercial units, which can support businesses looking to expand or relocate, in turn creating high quality jobs for local people.
“The Blackpool Airport Enterprise is one of the largest and most successful of its type in the country, generating 3,000 jobs since its inception in 2015. Located five minutes off the M55 and immediately next to Blackpool Airport, the site offers plenty of potential, while our future plans for a new digital Knowledge Quarter will also make the most of Blackpool’s ultra-fast, low latency fast fibre internet cable.”
Plots on the Eastern Gateway will be available on a design and build, joint venture and plot long leasehold basis, and all plots will be provided with bell mouths off the highway, landscaping and access to an individual secondary substation.
Support to build the new access road at the Enterprise Zone has been provided through a £7.5m grant from HM Government Town Fund, while design support has been provided by Cassidy + Ashton and Wildes Consulting.
