Plans approved for £5M Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone Sports Facilities

28-06-2021

Plans have been approved for phase two of the development for new sports facilities at the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

Blackpool Council & Fylde Borough Council have approved proposals for new changing rooms, a new 3G sports pitch, a replacement grass rugby pitch & training area on l& off Common Edge Road in Marton, Blackpool.

The proposed new sports facilities, designed by Preston architects Cassidy + Ashton, also include a new changing & spectator pavilion & reconfigured car parking to accommodate 194 cars.

The approved application represents the second phase of planned improvements to the sporting facilities & follows the approval in 2020 for the creation of 12 grass pitches to the south of Division Lane.

The entire sports development scheme will cover approximately 14 hectares & forms part of the first stage of the £28.8m investment allocated for the redevelopment of the 144-hectare Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. The appointed contractor Conlon Construction is scheduled to commence work onsite on 19 July, 2021 with ongoing support from Cassidy + Ashton.

Cabinet Member for Business, Enterprise & Job Creation Cllr Mark Smith said: “We are delighted that after a lot of hard work behind the scenes, the plans have been passed & we can start building the new changing rooms & spectator pavilion at Common Edge Playing Fields. The new pavilion will be of huge benefit to both the players & supporters, as many can confirm how cold it can get on the touch line!”

Leader of Fylde Council, Karen Buckley, added: “I’m delighted that planning permission has now been granted by both Fylde & Blackpool Councils in time to prepare to host the European Youth Football Championships next year at this new state-of-the-art sports complex.  It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that the Fylde Coast has to offer with an annual event that could attract up to 1,000 youth teams from across the UK & Europe.”

Lawrence McBurney, director at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “We are proud to have helped design & secure planning approval for these new facilities which will build on the already installed grass sports pitches & provide first class sports provisions for the area.

“This has been the culmination of many months of consultation with stakeholders & statutory consultees & we look forward to helping to manage the construction stage.”

Darren Lee, commercial director at Conlon Construction, said: “Gaining planning approval is a major milestone & brings us a step closer to commencing construction of these exceptional facilities. Enterprise Zones are well versed in their ability to deliver positive socio-economic change & it’s a delight to be part of a scheme that will bring clear benefits to the local & wider community.”

A further planning application is due to be submitted by Cassidy + Ashton for the redevelopment of l& north of the Common Edge Road sports facilities for new employment, residential & ancillary uses, as well as associated highways infrastructure.

This supports the overall vision for the Enterprise Zone as set out in the adopted Zone’s Masterplan & emerging local planning policy.

Promote your company updates by setting-up your own AvPay Profile here.