Major Industrial and Warehousing Development Approved at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone
Planners have given the green light to a massive industrial and warehousing development at the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, a move set to spark a significant jobs bonanza for the Fylde coast region. The developers have proactively offered to include a bus link provision, ensuring comprehensive transport connections are integrated into the scheme from the outset.
Unanimous Planning Committee Approval
The application, which sought permission for the erection of eight buildings designated for business, industrial, storage, warehousing, and retail and café uses, was unanimously approved by Blackpool Council's planning committee. The site is bounded by Amy Johnson Way, Common Edge Road, Jepson Way, School Road, and Blackpool Airport.
The committee session was notably forced to relocate to another council chamber after protesters, addressing an unrelated housing issue, caused a temporary adjournment of proceedings. Despite this disruption, the meeting proceeded, allowing the crucial vote to take place.
Jobs and Economic Boost Highlighted
Following the approval, committee member Councillor Julie Sloman emphasized the project's importance, stating, "The members were unanimous in backing this project. It is a major development for Blackpool, with the prospect of attracting businesses to the area and plenty of new jobs to come with them. Not only that, but during the construction phase there will be plenty of other jobs too."
Councillor Sloman further stressed the urgency of avoiding delays, noting, "It was vital the meeting went ahead – if it hadn't this project would have been delayed and it is important we can get applications processed to avoid hold-ups, whatever they are."
Detailed Development Proposals
This approval represents a Reserved Matters planning submission, providing detailed plans following an earlier outline application granted by the authority's planners. The proposals, lodged by Cassidy and Ashton planning consultants and architects on behalf of Blackpool Council, include:
- A changing places facility for accessibility.
- Associated access points to development plots, service yards, and boundary treatments.
- Comprehensive landscaping and parking provisions.
- An Electric Vehicle charging facility on Amy Johnson Way.
- A link road between Jepson Way and the new spine road.
The development site covers an extensive area of 67,166 square meters between Amy Johnson Way to the west and Common Edge Road to the east. The eight individual plots will vary in size, with proposed buildings featuring partial mezzanine floors to maximize usable floorspace within the units.
Infrastructure and Design Integration
The approval coincides with the nearing completion of a new £18.4 million spine road, an 18-month infrastructure project built by George Cox & Sons. This road connects Common Edge Road to the eastern side of the site, aiming to unlock new development land, improve traffic flow with additional lanes, and support the growth of the business park.
A Design and Access Statement concluded that the scheme represents a high-quality form of development, designed to complement its surroundings in scale, massing, and appearance while meeting operational space requirements. It stated, "The scheme represents a high-quality form of development which will sit comfortably with a range of businesses to this location. The development has been designed to complement its surroundings in terms of scale, massing and appearance whilst providing the space operationally required."
Background on Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone
The Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone (BAEZ) is a 144-hectare designated economic development area established in 2016. Centered around Blackpool Airport and Amy Johnson Way, its objectives include creating over 3,000 new jobs and attracting more than 180 businesses, primarily in advanced manufacturing, energy, and high-performance computing sectors.
The zone offers businesses significant incentives, such as tax benefits, over 20 hectares of new commercial land, and superior infrastructure connectivity, positioning it as a key driver for regional economic growth and investment.
