Solar farm planned for Blackpool Airport

A buffer zone of trees and landscaping would be designed around the southern edge of the solar farm

Plans have been submitted for a solar farm on land south of Blackpool Airport’s main runway.

It would allow the airport to generate its own renewable electricity, reducing energy bills and supporting the next generation of sustainable hybrid or electric battery-powered aircraft, the council said.

It follows plans earlier this month for a new office, security and small passenger handling building at the airport off Squires Gate Lane.

The airport, which is closed to commercial flights, is a base for North West Air Ambulance and private flights.

'Financially sustainable'

The scheme requires the closure of the smaller of the two runways, but just 4% of aircraft used the smaller 13/31 crosswind runway in 2023.

A buffer zone of trees and landscaping would be designed around the southern edge of the solar farm, where it meets properties around Leach Lane in Lytham St Annes.

A screening application for the solar farm has been submitted to Fylde Council, which could lead to it being operational by the latter end of the decade.

Steve Peters, managing director of Blackpool Airport said: "This is an opportunity for the airport to make best use of the land by repurposing it so that it creates a revenue stream for the airport while reducing our energy bills and supporting our ten-year plan to become more financially sustainable."