Major Data Centre Development Set to Transform Fylde Coast Employment Landscape
A significant new data centre project is poised to deliver a substantial economic boost to the Fylde coast, with plans indicating the creation of hundreds of jobs during construction and dozens of permanent high-skilled positions once operational. Singapore-based real estate firm Elite UK REIT has secured planning permission from Fylde Council to develop the multi-million pound facility at the Peel Park business site on Brunel Way, located on the edge of Blackpool.
Substantial Employment Opportunities Across Multiple Phases
According to detailed planning documents submitted with the application, the project is expected to generate between 600 and 800 full-time equivalent jobs during the peak construction period. These temporary roles will span various sectors including general contracting, electrical work, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, security services, telecommunications, and project management.
Once the data centre becomes fully operational, it will create an estimated 50 to 80 permanent positions with annual salaries ranging from £40,000 to £100,000. These high-skilled roles will include data centre managers, network engineers, systems architects, security specialists, facilities management personnel, and renewable energy integration experts. The development represents a significant opportunity for local workforce upskilling and wage growth enhancement in the region.
Strategic Location and Significant Investment
The data centre will be constructed on a previously undeveloped 20-acre plot within the Peel Park business estate, adjacent to offices currently leased to the Department for Work and Pensions. The site benefits from excellent connectivity, being situated close to the M55 motorway and having proximity to subsea fibre-optic infrastructure capable of transmitting over 95-99% of international data traffic.
The total capital investment for the project has been estimated at £450 to £500 million over the development lifecycle. This substantial investment will cover site preparation, construction, mechanical and electrical systems installation, data centre fit-out, and renewable energy infrastructure integration. The development forms part of Blackpool's broader Growth and Prosperity programme, which includes projects within the 144-hectare Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone and the Talbot Gateway Central Business District.
Corporate Background and Strategic Vision
Elite UK REIT, the Singapore-based real estate investment trust behind the project, maintains a portfolio with a total asset value of £424.7 million as of December 31, 2025. The company is notable for having over 99% of its portfolio leased to the UK government, primarily providing critical social infrastructure to the DWP and various government departments. Their portfolio comprises 148 properties strategically located across the UK, with most being freehold or virtually freehold assets positioned in town centres near amenities and transportation nodes.
Joshua Liaw, chief executive officer of Elite UK REIT, commented on the planning approval: "The planning approval marks another milestone in our value creation strategy. It demonstrates our ability to identify unique attributes and potential of each of our portfolio assets and when feasible, reposition the REIT's assets to deliver even greater value."
Liaw added: "We are now in a strong position to actively explore various strategic options for Peel Park, Blackpool to maximise value for our unitholders. With demand for artificial intelligence and cloud-based technologies continuing to grow, we are excited about the prospect of a proposed data centre in Peel Park, Blackpool in supporting regional economic development, inward investment and the objectives of the nearby Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone."
Development Specifications and Local Context
The data centre building itself will reach up to 14 metres in height, with a rooftop cooling structure extending to 20 metres. The comprehensive site development will also include a substation compound, security office, and associated plant infrastructure, parking facilities, drainage systems, and landscaping elements.
Although the Peel Park business estate carries "Blackpool" branding due to its proximity to the Blackpool boundary, it falls under the jurisdiction of Fylde Council as it is geographically located within the borough of Fylde, specifically within the Whitehills area. This distinction highlights the collaborative nature of regional development initiatives across local government boundaries.
The project represents a significant step forward in the region's economic development strategy, combining technological infrastructure investment with substantial employment creation across both construction and permanent operational phases. As demand for data processing and cloud services continues to expand nationally and globally, this development positions the Fylde coast as a competitive location for technology infrastructure investment.
