Blackpool Airport to become enterprise zone, says MP

Balfour Beatty bought the airport in 2008

Plans to create a new "enterprise zone" in Blackpool are expected to be announced in Wednesday's Budget.

Paul Maynard, the Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP, said the zone will be at the town's airport, which closed to commercial flights in October.

It is not known whether the new zone would be linked to the existing BAE hub at Samlesbury and Warton.

Airport owners Balfour Beatty have been in talks about the move since it closed with the loss of more than 100 jobs.

The company, which bought the site in 2008, have been working with the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council.

Previously Blackpool Council had said the airport had "underperformed in terms of its contribution on the Blackpool economy".

Enterprise zones are part of the government's long-term economic plan to support business growth by giving cheaper business rates, superfast broadband and lower levels of planning control.