Verdict set to be made on huge development plans at Airport

Proposals for a huge development at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone will go before planners tomorrow – and the scheme carries major jobs hopes if approved.

The application is for the erection of eight buildings within business, industrial, storage and warehousing uses and a retail and café use, on land bounded by Amy Johnson Way, Common Edge Road, Jepson Way, School Road and Blackpool Airport.

The proposals are aimed at helping to provide more employment at a time when transport links to the Squires Gate business area are being improved with a new multi-million pound spine road which is expected to be completed in a matter of weeks.

This latest application is a more detailed Reserved Matters planning submission on behalf of Blackpool Council, lodged by Cassidy and Ashton planning consultants and architects, after the authority’s planners approved an earlier outline application for the site.

It goes before Blackpool Council’s planning committee tomorrow evening (Tuesday March 24) when councillors will make a decision on it.

The proposals included a changing places facility, associated access points to the development plots, service yards, landscaping, parking and boundary treatments, an Electric Vehicle charging facility on Amy Johnson Way and a link road between Jepson Way and the spine road.

The massive development site covers an area of land between Amy Johnson Way to the west and Common Edge Road to the east, extending to an area of 67,166sqm, with the eight individual plots varying in size.

The new spine road, seen as a major means of improving accessibility to the site, will link Amy Johnson Way to the west with Common Edge Road to the east and provide access to the development plots.

The proposed new buildings would contain partial mezzanine floors to provide additional floorspace within the units.

A Design and Access Statement concluded: “This application supports an appropriate type of development for the Enterprise Zone and existing business park.

“The scheme represents a high-quality form of development which will sit comfortably with a range of businesses to this location.

“The development has been designed to complement its surroundings in terms of scale, massing and appearance whilst providing the space operationally required.

“It is therefore considered that the development complies with the relevant national and local planning policies, and for that reason reserved matters consent should be granted.”