Plans for a £65m state-of-the-art higher education campus in the centre of Blackpool have been submitted.

We’ve been appointed to provide structural, civil and geo-environmental engineering consultancy services for the proposed project, working in collaboration with our sister company Civic Earth. The project would deliver a five story ‘multiversity’ campus that would offer more than 70 courses directly linked to local employment needs and bring up to 3,000 staff and students into Blackpool town centre.

Supported by a £40m grant by the Government’s levelling up fund, and £9m from the Government’s Town Deal, the campus aims to promote higher-level skills, helping residents in Blackpool to secure jobs for the future through providing a high-quality purpose-built educational facility.

Outline consent is sought for the Multiversity buildings, that would be located on the corner of Cookson Street and George Street.

As part of the proposals, Blackpool Council would lease the site to Blackpool and the Fylde College, which would relocate from out of town premises as part of the £350m Talbot Gateway regeneration of the area around Blackpool North train station.

Commenting on our involvement in the project, Dan Podesta, associate director in our Manchester studio, said: “It is fantastic to be appointed as civil and structural engineer on the design team for this transformational project.

“We’re looking forward to playing our part in delivering the high-quality design, which will enable significant regeneration and see a world class university learning experience created in the town centre.”

We’re proud to work alongside Hawkins\Brown, CBRE, Avison Young, Hydrock, Fortis and Egniol on this landmark project.

[Image credit: via Blackpool Council by Hawkins\Brown]