Following completion of Fylde Borough Council’s Employment Land and Premises study in August 2012, BE Group was re-commissioned in early 2013 to research and produce a detailed development brief that will enhance planning decision making; provide a means of future investment, and deliver a development prospectus for the Whitehills Development Area adjacent to Junction 4, M55 motorway.

The Whitehills Development Area includes land within the boundaries of both Fylde and Blackpool Councils. It includes Lancashire County Council’s Marton Estate, and as such the County Council has joined with Fylde and Blackpool in commissioning the work.

The project takes account the outcomes of employment land need research for both Fylde and Blackpool in terms of the quantum of supply required during their respective Local Plan periods. It also has regard to current planning applications, one for a mixed use scheme within Fylde and one for a large scale residual proposal that spans the border between Fylde and Blackpool.