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The length of time it takes to get multi-million pound regeneration projects up and running in Blackpool could be cut if parts of the resort can secure special investment status.

The council has put forward two sites in the town to become new government Investment Zones.

It hopes to secure the status for the town centre and the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone in a move which would make both areas more attractive to potential investors.

The expressions of interest are in response to recently announced government plans for the introduction of new Investment Zones across the country.

The town centre could become an Investment Zone

Sites would offer incentives linked to tax relief, business rates relief and other regulatory innovations, while the planning process would be streamlined to help speed up investment.

Council leader Coun Lynne Williams said: "Blackpool was invited by the Government to submit a proposal for an Investment Zone.

"At this stage we still don’t have the full details of what it will mean or the time scales involved.

"However, we welcome any opportunity to further accelerate the work that has already been achieved here in boosting the economy and growing the number of quality jobs.

“We have identified two sites that fit the criteria and have made a strong submission. We will now wait to hear the outcome.”

The Central Blackpool area stretches from Talbot Gateway in the north to Bloomfield Road in the south including retail, office, leisure, light industry and housing.

The Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone area covers all of the existing site but extends to new areas to the south of the runway, to the south-east of the airport and to the west of the existing enterprise zone.

A report to a meeting of the council's executive on November 7 says: "For developments in the early stages of planning, and to encourage newdevelopment to come forward, there will be a new faster and more streamlined consent to grant planning permission.

"This consent will reduce many of the burdensome requirements which has made the planning of large sites slower and more complex than it should be, to enable developers to bring forward good quality development which responds to the market."

Bid to speed up planning process and bring jobs to Blackpool