Blackpool Council issue major update on investment at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone

Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone continues to see significant progress, with major infrastructure projects completed, new development land released and further investment planned to support business growth and create new jobs across the Fylde coast.

Blackpool Council’s Executive is being recommended to continue with planned activities, alongside the necessary investment expenditure and prudential borrowing at its next meeting on September 14.

A new road into the airport east development was completed in July, with outline planning permission granted by Fylde Council last year. The next phase of investment would see the development of new units to the east of Blackpool Airport. A detailed planning application for the new units will be submitted later in the year, which if approved will unlock land for future phases of Silicon Sands.

This year has already seen major infrastructure projects complete. Vickers Way, the new access road linking Common Edge Road to Amy Johnson Way, opened in May 2026, unlocking prime development land and providing space for businesses to grow and create more jobs in the area. Improvements on Amy Johnson Way have also enabled better access and improved traffic flow to the Enterprise Zone and surrounding areas.

The new road is already helping local businesses, with Lancashire company Natures Aid recently relocating their dispatch operations to a new facility on the Enterprise Zone to accommodate growing demands. This further adds to the economic impact the Enterprise Zone is already delivering, with 2,700 jobs created so far across the development.

There has already been significant interest in the development land, with two plots already under offer and strong interest in additional commercial, residential and retail sites. Three additional development plots have also been released for sale last month, ranging from 3,488 sqm to 7,318 sqm.

Silicon Sands is continuing to move forward, with HOCHTIEF Data Centre Partner UK Ltd (HOCHTIEF DCPUK) recently appointed to develop for the first exemplar data centre.

The new business park is designed to attract technology and digital companies to the area, creating new, well-paid jobs for residents and positioning Blackpool as a major location for AI growth, as well as tackling the climate challenges of traditional data centres.

The first environmentally friendly data centre will be at the site of the old fire station and engineering yard at Blackpool Airport, which was demolished in 2023, as well as on the site of the airport’s old administration offices and security point. A new administration and passenger facility was built in 2025.

Work is progressing to bring forward the infrastructure needed to enable further development of Silicon Sands. A range of options are being explored to relocate and improve existing airport facilities, helping to unlock land for the new development while supporting Blackpool Airport's long-term growth plans.

Plans are also progressing for a new solar farm on airport land, with a planning application expected to be submitted later this year.

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said: "It's fantastic to see the continued progress being made across Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone and shows the confidence businesses have in Blackpool as a place to invest and grow.

“The investment we've made in infrastructure is helping to unlock new opportunities for businesses, while Silicon Sands is strengthening Blackpool's position as a centre for digital businesses and creating the foundations for long-term economic growth that benefits local people.

"By creating the right conditions for investment, we're helping to bring new jobs, skills and opportunities to local people the wider Fylde coast. Together, these projects are helping to make Blackpool better for people to live, work and do business.”

Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone

Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone is already one of the north west’s premier business destinations with over 200 businesses and around 4,000 employees working from the area. Directly accessible from the M55 motorway, the enterprise zone also lies near Squires Gate train station and Starr Gate tram station and incorporates Blackpool Airport.

Blackpool Council is the accountable body for Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, which is a 144-hectare site across Blackpool and Fylde and is earmarked to create 5,000 new jobs by 2041.

For more information on the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, visit www.blackpoolez.com.

Land either side of Vickers Way is available for development by local businesses to create more jobs for people on the Fylde coast, while land either side of Hallett Avenue will be made available for a small housing development. Marketing of the land is under way, and businesses can visit www.blackpoolez.com to enquire.