Multi-million-pound new Skills and Cyber Campus plan approved

By Rob Kelly

20 Sep 2024

View of the campus

Ambitious plans have been passed for a Skills and Cyber campus in Blackburn.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning committee last night voted to support an application for the first phase of the works, comprising a new contemporary building with landscaping and public space.

The development has been ear-marked for the former Blackburn Market site in Brown Street and is part of the £250m Blackburn Town Centre Masterplan – a blueprint for future town centre development by BDP to transform that whole area, including the land where the Thwaites brewery historically stood.

The successful application - submitted by Maple Grove Blackburn, a joint venture between Maple Grove Developments and the council – also secured outline planning permission for a second building - both being very similar in design to those within the neighbouring, award-winning Cathedral Quarter development.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has already successfully secured £20m of Government Funding towards the scheme – which has now been re-confirmed by the new Labour Government - and is in talks with UCLAN for its training company, Training 2000 (T2000), to expand and re-locate to the first building.

Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Councillor Phil Riley, said: “It’s terrific news that this planning application has been given the green light.

“It really is a win, win for the borough – this development will help transform that whole area of the town, attracting thousands of learners every year and helping to support the businesses there.

“And learners will also benefit from the very best, state-of-art facilities too - it doesn’t get better than that.

“We’re also really pleased that the new Government has re-confirmed the £20m of funding that was pledged for the project – in the same week that the Lancashire Devolution Deal has also been passed too.

“We now look forward to advancing our plans with UCLAN to re-locate and expand their Training 2000 offer here - as we’ve said before, what an opportunity this is.”

The masterplan is part of the council’s impressive £1bn vision for the future – delivering on its commitment to create a more prosperous borough where no-one is left behind.

It’s the anchor of a wider Blackburn Growth Axis with the ability to support 100,000 jobs across the borough – positioning it as an important, regional economic centre.

David Taylor, Chairman of Training 2000, said: “The Skills and Cyber Campus represents a great opportunity for both UCLAN and T2000 to expand their offer in East Lancashire.

 “Although discussions are at an early stage, they represent an exciting opportunity for Training 2000.”

 Also part of the Blackburn Business Innovation District - where the new development will be based - is St John’s Church with planning permission secured to transform the fire-hit building into an Innovation Hub - works are proposed to commence there in 2025 too.

Linked to the neighbouring The Making Rooms and Blackburn College’s already strong cyber capabilities, it’s part of the Council’s drive to unlock opportunities at the neighbouring Salmesbury Enterprise Zone and the AMRC Innovation Centre as well as the opportunities that the re-location of the National Cyber HQ could bring.

The vision being to grow the supply chain in the digital and cyber sector in Blackburn with Darwen.

 Nick Hague, project director for Maple Grove Developments, added: “We've been working in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council for a number of years and are delighted to be supporting them in bringing forward this hugely ambitious and exciting project.

“The two new buildings, along with the fantastic public realm and landscaping, will transform this key gateway site into a world-class education and commercial quarter, supporting the wider regeneration plans for the town centre.

“The buildings will provide flexibility to the occupants, allowing them to adapt over time, responding to the ever changing business and academic world we live in.

“These are indeed exciting times in Blackburn.”

The council will now appoint a design team to progress detailed designs for the development with advanced highway and enabling works planned to commence early 2025 with the main construction works expected to follow later next year with a view to the building opening in 2027.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs Manufacturing

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs

03 Apr 2025

2

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer Matthew Ratcliffe CMAC

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer

03 Apr 2025

3

For sale signs at The Villa Villa Wrea Green has been brought to market (Image credit: The Villa Wrea Green)

For sale signs at The Villa

02 Apr 2025

4

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub Anthony Rae Scott Murcott And Adam Lee

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub

02 Apr 2025

5

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy Tom Grattan MD and Daniel Wallace

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy

02 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Lancashire Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880395853-4862066883-1-original.20241022-091152-2.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
04 Apr 2025 - 04 Apr 2025

Lancashire Business Expo 2025

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine Conference 2025
Remote and Rural 3.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
05 Jun 2025 - 05 Jun 2025

National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine Conference 2025

North Lakes Hotel and Spa, Penrith, CA11 8QT

09:30 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin