Energy college gets go-ahead from council

Fylde councillors passed the planning application this week. It follows the granting of permission to demolish the disused international terminal on the site on January 7.

Lancashire Enterprise Partnership is providing £6.2m in Growth Deal funds towards the £9.8m cost of the project.

Construction will start in summer 2016 and complete in the autumn of 2017, The college will become a centre of excellence for the county and beyond, delivering the higher technical skills, knowledge and training required by the energy sector.

Daryl Platt, executive director of commercial development at Blackpool and The Fylde College, said: “This is great news for Lancashire and the industries we will be supporting.

“Our aim is to provide a cutting-edge learning environment producing job-ready students who are highly-skilled in advanced engineering, technology and energy solutions.

“The College already has a proven reputation in this field. Fleetwood Nautical Campus has more than 20 years of experience working with both on and off-shore energy sectors.

“The Lancashire Energy HQ will build on this, adding green and renewable energy technology to the provision offered.”

Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, director, Lancashire Skills Hub, said: “The Lancashire Energy HQ, at the heart of a Blackpool Enterprise Zone specialising in energy, is an important part of the LEP’s ambitious strategic programme to transform Lancashire’s economy.”