Blackpool Council has selected HOCHTIEF Data Centre Partner UK Ltd as the preferred bidder to build and operate the first data centre within the Silicon Sands development, the authority has announced. The decision follows a formal competitive procurement process under the Procurement Act 2023 and is subject to a mandatory standstill period and final governance approvals before a contract can be signed.
Privately funded build after public land assembly
If the provisional agreement proceeds to final award, all construction and operational costs for the data centre will be borne by the private sector. Blackpool Council and the Lancashire Combined County Authority previously worked together to assemble the site and make the project deliverable.
Jobs, offices and research space
The data centre is intended to form the opening phase of Silicon Sands, a business park aimed at attracting technology and digital firms to the area. Outline planning permission has already been secured for the data centre along with a 20,000 sq ft office and research building. Local leaders say the wider scheme could support thousands of direct and indirect high-value roles across the region.
"This is a huge step forward for the future of Blackpool and showing the UK that data centres can create jobs and also tackle the climate emergency," said Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for economy and built environment.
Cllr Smith highlighted the scheme’s emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental measures. The council said suppliers being taken forward are working on renewable energy use, advanced cooling systems and a district heat network designed to reuse waste heat.
- Preferred bidder: HOCHTIEF Data Centre Partner UK Ltd
- Funding: privately funded construction and operations
- Permission: outline planning consent in place, including 20,000 sq ft office/research space
Local impact and next steps
The council’s announcement marks a procedural stage rather than a final contract. A mandatory standstill period must elapse and internal approvals are still required. If completed, the private investment will follow the council and county authority’s preparatory work on land assembly to bring the scheme forward.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer (preferred) | HOCHTIEF Data Centre Partner UK Ltd |
| Site | First phase of Silicon Sands business park |
| Office/research space | 20,000 sq ft (outline consent) |
For residents and local businesses, the key questions will centre on the timing of construction, the number and type of jobs created and the ways in which the development will integrate with broader regional energy and planning strategies. The council’s next public steps will include concluding the standstill process and reporting back on the final contractual approvals.
