Builder hired for Fylde energy HQ

Manchester-based Bardsley Construction will oversee construction of the £9.8m project, due to be completed in the autumn of 2017.

Blackpool and The Fylde College which is behind the Lancashire Energy HQ plan, has now bought the land on the site of the former International Terminal and has appointed Bardsley.

It is designed to be the flagship development on Blackpool’s Enterprise £9.8m zone which aims to create around 3,000 jobs.

Lancashire Energy HQ aims to provide a cutting edge training centre, training people in the specialist technical and professional skills required by industry.

It will focus on all types of energy production including offshore, renewable and low carbon, with courses and training aligned to future industry needs and labour requirements, the college says.

Daryl Platt, executive director of Commercial Development at Blackpool and The Fylde College, welcomed the announcement: “The project represents significant investment in the region by the College and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, who are providing £6.2m of Growth Deal funding towards the cost.

“I’m pleased that we are now in a position where work can begin imminently and we can continue to drive investment. We are looking forward to working with Bardsley Construction, who will bring a great deal of experience and technical expertise to the project.”

Chris Formby, Blackpool Airport Manager, said: “We are delighted the land is being put to such good use to help create the next generation of expert energy engineers. We hope this new development will act as a catalyst for further investment within the new Enterprise Zone which will both sustain the airport into the future and drive further investment in the area to support local communities.”

Ged Rooney, from Bardsley, said: “We are immensely proud to be involved in the delivery of the new Lancashire Energy HQ, and our experience over many years in the provision of new facilities for FE colleges throughout the country will be invaluable.”