The Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Economic Prosperity Board met to discuss the Fylde Coast Economic Needs Update, as well as to receive progress reports about the Blackpool Airport and Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zones.

Fylde Coast Economic Needs Update and Employment Land Review 2024

The Board was scheduled to consider a report on the Fylde Coast Economic Needs Update and Employment Land Review 2024 (ELR).

The key proposals of the report were that the amount of land that each of the three councils should allocate for employment uses by 2042 are as follows:

• Blackpool: 16.07 hectares
• Fylde: 28.68 hectares
• Wyre: 24.15 hectares

The report proposed that Blackpool Council in particular should consider allocating land at the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone for offices. This is in part because their analysis showed that:

viability constraints means that private sector office development without public sector financial support cannot be delivered on the Fylde coast.

The report noted that Fylde Council already has sufficient employment land to meet the proposed target.

It was noted that, while Wyre Council theoretically has enough employment land, there is a risk that some of the land allocated for employment uses could be lost. They recommended that Wyre Council:

allocate or safeguard additional land.

The report also included analysis of the local economy, property markets and skills. The report identified the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone and the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone as strategically important sites for employment uses.

You can read the full report on the Wyre Council website: EPB Report Employment study 021224.

Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone: progress report

The Board was scheduled to receive a progress report on the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. The report included updates about the following topics:

• The Eastern Gateway Masterplan
• The Blackpool Airport/Silicon Sands Masterplan
• The Eastern Gateway access and upgrades to Common Edge
• A planning application to Fylde Council regarding the realignment of the junction from Amy Johnson Way
• The construction of a new Vehicle Security point and Administration office, which is scheduled to be operational by the end of February 2025
• The latest figures for jobs on the Enterprise Zone

Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone: progress report

The Board was also scheduled to receive a progress report on the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone.

The report was scheduled to include updates about the following topics:

• Progress on a revised masterplan for the site.
• The completion of a new gatehouse, which is scheduled to be operational by Christmas 2024.
• Planning consent being obtained by Lancashire County Council for a large energy from waste plant.
• Proposals for the development of hydrogen production and storage.
• Future ambitions for data centres on the site.
• The Fleetwood/Poulton rail link.