First data centre plans at Blackpool’s Silicon Sands site

An application for planning permission is set to go in for the first data centre at the ambitious Silicon Sands digital infrastructure development next to Blackpool Airport.

Plans for a 6MW carbon friendly data centre and 20,000s sq ft office and research space are set to be submitted before Christmas following significant interest from private sector investors.

The Silicon Sands plan builds on the arrival of the transatlantic Aquacomms cable and aims to position the Fylde Coast as a leading location for sustainable data centres and digital innovation.

The site would be powered by renewable energy, use liquid immersion cooling to improve efficiency and re-use heat to act as an energy source for other properties.

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said: “Silicon Sands is a transformational opportunity for Blackpool. It can create thousands of well-paid jobs, attract investment, and put us at the forefront of sustainable digital development.

“That vision is proven by the significant interest we have had from the private sector already.

“Silicon Sands is about so much more than just data centres though. We are carefully managing the programme so that we can create data centres which are carbon friendly, and can even supply waste heat back to local communities.”

The first data centre would 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.

Source: First data centre plans at Blackpool’s Silicon Sands site | Construction Enquirer News