News archive 2009
30/11/09: High Flyers in Exeter and East Devon
Looking beyond the recession to a brighter future, with opportunities to gain skills and skilled employment, was undoubtedly uppermost on the minds of East Devon District Council (EDDC) councillors last week as they made a resolution to grant outline planning permission for Exeter Science Park and also issued the outline planning permission for Flybe’s state-of-the-art Training Academy.
Both of these developments are major components of the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point and together form part of a package for growth that will not only offer skilled job opportunities but also provide essential links between industry and education establishments in the South West.
Cllr Ray Franklin, EDDC’s Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning and Regeneration, explains why these projects are so important to the growth of Exeter and East Devon. “These developments are absolutely fundamental for skills development in the area. We have known for some time that there is a real need to address the skills gap and providing direct links between education and industry will undoubtedly help to improve the skills of the current work force. Both Exeter Science Park and the Flybe Training Academy will be shining examples of this principle at work”.
Now that the outline planning permission for Flybe’s Training Academy and accompanying hotel has been issued, work can begin on site. This news was welcomed by Simon Witts, Director of Safety, Quality and Training at Flybe. “The issuing of planning permission represents the final step towards the development of the site. We received confirmation earlier in the year that we were to be given a £4.3 million grant from the Learning and Skills Council, which in turn unlocked £2.8 million from the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency) - and so now it’s all systems go! Ground work is expected to begin before the end of the year.”
As one of the first 150 businesses to have signed the Government’s new skills pledge, Flybe is committed to helping all its employees to develop the necessary skills and achieve their professional ambitions.
Supported by GoSkills (the sector skills council for passenger transport) and in partnership with Exeter College and the University of Exeter, the Training Academy will support the delivery of appropriate industry- recognised vocational qualifications. These include Cabin Crew NVQs, Engineering Apprenticeships, call centre NVQ’s and foundation degrees and will help address the crucial need for skills development in the South West.
Devon County Councillor William Mumford , current Chair of Exeter and East Devon Growth Point, added: “We also recognise the need to provide skilled employment opportunities for those people who come through the education system locally. We want to retain those skills here in Exeter and East Devon and Exeter Science Park could play a big part in that, whilst at the same time providing for the needs of the many skilled people who are predicted to want to move to the region in the coming decades”.
Exeter Science Park, which will provide services for knowledge intensive firms, will have strong links with the University of Exeter Innovation Centre, which itself provides start-up units for new knowledge intensive businesses.
Sir William Wakeham, the new Chairman of Exeter Science Park, said: “News of the resolution to grant planning permission is a major step towards the delivery of what we are sure will be a world-class Science Park.” He went on to explain how the partners want “to build a thriving Science-based community that will also have links with the Met Office and Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry. We want Exeter Science Park to make a significant contribution to the Government’s innovation agenda, encouraging knowledge transfer between research and innovative business”.
The Partners in Exeter Science Park, which include the University of Exeter, the Met Office, South West RDA, Exeter City Council, Devon County Council and East Devon District Council, are keen to encourage the development of Exeter as a Science and Knowledge-based city and to create an environment at the Science Park that encourages enterprise in science.
Cllr Adrian Fullam from Exeter City Council explained the benefits of Exeter Science Park for the local economy: “With the potential to create up to 3,000 jobs in the first 15 to 20 years, we see the Science Park as helping to position the city as a serious regional business centre specialising in scientific and technological activities. Yes, this site will be a high value employment location attracting higher income earners with higher expenditure into the local economy; but it will also develop small and medium sized companies employing people with a range of skills, from school leavers and new graduates to high grade scientists”.
Now that outline planning permission for Exeter Science Park has been agreed by East Devon’s Development Control Committee, work to clear the site can begin next year, with the first buildings underway in 2011.
Alan Douglas, the Science Park Director representing the Met Office explained: "A science park on the edge of Exeter will bring benefits to the local economy and the Met Office. The science park can encourage more local students to look at scientific careers and help develop a growing pool of scientific talent in the area. The influx of new science based companies and organisations will open up new opportunities for scientific collaboration with the Met Office and potential new partnerships to market new products and services."
Ian Thompson, Area Director for the South West RDA, a funding partner for both projects and the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point said: “Our strategy for future economic growth and the development of a low carbon economy means promoting high value skills, technology, and research and development – and within the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point we have the right ingredients coming together for this. These projects are going to play a big role in encouraging enterprise and innovation in the Exeter area in our wider strategy of unlocking business potential across the region.”
It is hoped that there will be lots of activity in the Exeter and East Devon growth area next year, with many major developments poised to begin construction work. In addition to the Science Park and the Training Academy the local authority partners are anticipating site work to begin on the New Community at Cranbrook and the business District called Skypark.
Further Information
- Press Release 30th November 2009 (
40kb)
29/10/09: Exeter welcomes Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property
The University of Exeter welcomed Minister of State for Higher Education and Intellectual Property, David Lammy, on 29 October. Chancellor Dr Floella Benjamin OBE and Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Steve Smith took David Lammy on a campus tour, highlighting the University’s groundbreaking work with business and industry.
The visit showcased major developments in the region, including the plans for a new Science Park in Exeter.
The Minister also met members of University staff and discussed a range of higher education issues, including graduate employment opportunities.
The tour included a visit to the University’s £10m Innovation Centre, home to 36 businesses, which have created 136 jobs. David Lammy met representatives from two businesses - specialist consultancy in software testing TCL group Ltd and QinetiQ Plc, which is working with the University on a £3.2M project to exploit research into the light reflective properties of butterfly wings.
David Lammy then visited X-AT, the University’s business-facing research centre focusing on advanced manufacturing and materials. X-AT engineers demonstrated their revolutionary approach to manufacturing using Advanced Layer Manufacturing techniques. This low-carbon and low-waste technology is being used to create a range of products, from aeroplane wings to novel chocolate shapes.
David Lammy said: “Universities are central to our economic recovery, and help to give young people the knowledge and skills they need to get on. That’s why innovation centres like this one, here at Exeter, are so important: they provide that bridge between higher education and work.
“It has been great to visit the university today and to see first hand how its initiatives are making a difference to people’s lives. Businesses are being given a start that they would not otherwise get and this in turn has an effect on the research that is being carried out in the UK. It ensures that we continue to be in a competitive position globally.”
University of Exeter Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Steve Smith said: “Each year, the University of Exeter undertakes projects to the value of £25m with business and other organisations and last year was awarded over £50m of research funding. At a time when we are growing our research and expanding our links with business and industry, it is great for us to have the opportunity to share our successes and ambitions for the future with Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property, David Lammy.
“At this time of significant economic problems, we are also delighted to be able to share with the Minister how Exeter is both supporting local businesses in finding their way out of the recession and is undertaking the research and higher level skills training that will help create a thriving knowledge economy in the South West.”
17/08/09: M5 bridge plans to go on show
Plans for a pedestrian and cycle bridge north of Junction 29 of the M5 motorway, will go on show at a public exhibition on Wednesday (19 August).
Devon County Council is hosting the exhibition at the Gipsy Hill Hotel between 3pm and 8pm.
The exhibition will preview a planning application for a 120metre single span arch bridge at Redhayes, which will be submitted later this month. If approved, construction is due to start next summer.
The bridge will re-connect a road which was severed when the motorway was built, and will provide a link from cycle and walking routes in Exeter to the Exeter Science Park and other developments in the Exeter and East Devon New Growth Point.
Devon County Council has secured £5.5million from the Government’s Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF). The CIF will support sustainable transport links to ensure the delivery of Growth Points that provide employment and homes.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “This bridge is a vital element for the Exeter and East Devon New Growth Point and aims to encourage people to cycle and walk more. It will provide a green travel route, and combined with proposed public transport links for the area it should reduce congestion around the new developments.”
Devon County Council has appointed Parsons Brinckerhoff to carry out the structural design, and LDA Design, the lead architect for Exeter Science Park, has provided architectural input.
06.07.09: Exeter Science Park Appoints New Chair
It was announced today that Professor Sir William Wakeham has been appointed as the first Chair of the Exeter Science Park company. He will officially join in October.
Most recently Bill has been Vice-Chancellor of Southampton University, a post he held since 2001. As head of a leading UK university, with strength and breadth of expertise across research areas that lend themselves to exploitation and transfer to industry, Bill has access to a network of established strong links with business and industry sectors, at regional, national and international level.
Bill is a graduate of Exeter University, where he completed both his first and higher degrees in Physics and from which he holds an honorary degree. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Chartered Physicist. He has recently been knighted in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to chemical engineering and higher education.
Commenting on his appointment Bill said ‘I am delighted that nearly 40 years of experience will be put to good use in driving this exciting and vital project forward. I am totally committed to Devon, where I have lived for more than twenty years, and I look forward to being involved in this development which will bring employment, knowledge and investment to the people of Devon and the wider region.’
David Allen, Registrar at the University of Exeter and Chair of the Science Park Steering Group said ‘Bill will be a huge asset to the Science park team. In addition to being a world class chemical engineer, graduate and honorary graduate of Exeter, he brings with him a wealth of contacts in the commercial and business world. I’m very much looking forward to working with him.’
The outline planning application for the Science Park has already been submitted, four months earlier than expected. It is seeking permission for 68,700 square metres of building development that would be built in phases over 20-25 years. Phase one would include a hotel and conference facility, science park centre, and office space for let. Subject to approval, work on the highway infrastructure would start in Spring 2010, and this will be the subject of a detailed planning application in September this year.
08/06/09: RDA Confirms Funding for Developments in East Devon
Today the South West RDA pledged its continued support for the major developments East of Exeter by standing by its funding commitments despite heavy cuts in its capital budget.
Today’s announcement was welcomed by the Exeter and East Devon New Growth Point partnership who are driving forward the developments in East Devon, these include the Exeter Science Park, Flybe Skills Academy, Cranbrook and Skypark.
Commenting on news Councillor Peter Halse, EDDC’s Portfolio Holder Economy said: “This is a massive vote of confidence for the credibility of the work we and our partners are doing to the east of Exeter.”
Early this year the RDA announced that their budget was under considerable pressure and that they would be undertaking a complete review of their investment plan. Despite a £56 million shortfall today’s announcement confirms a sizeable £260 million investment in the southwest over the next two years.
Councillor Peter Halse went on to say “Through no fault of their own, the RDA have less money to invest in the coming years. Against that backdrop, it’s all the more heartening that they are keeping faith with the projects that we and our partners have been working so hard to initiate.”
As well as confirming their continued investment in Exeter Science Park and the East of Exeter Skills Academy, today’s announcement also confirms the RDA’s allocation of the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the improvements to junction 29 and the new Cranbrook Railway station.
Councillor Graham Brown, EDDC’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder Environment, said: “The Regional Infrastructure Fund is modelled on the package that includes Cranbrook, with its vital element of affordable housing; the transport hub; the Flybe Skills Academy; Exeter Science Park and Skypark. We know only too well that we have the skills and the will to deliver, but that counts for nothing without the tools – and that includes the all-important funding. Once public funds have been committed to a package like this, the aim of confidence will grow and we can look forward with more confidence to the private sector doing their bit”.
The South West RDA, have also pledged their continued support for the New Growth Point Delivery Team - providing additional capacity for a professional team to manage the Growth Area Projects.
Further Information
- Press Release 8th June 2009 ( 38kb)
28/04/09: University of Exeter welcomes The Princess Royal to officially open the Innovation Centre Phase II
Staff, students and tenants of the Innovation Centre were delighted to welcome Princess Anne to formally open the Innovation Centre Phase II in a ceremony attended by more than 100 local and regional representatives.
Situated on the University’s Streatham campus, the Innovation Centre provides flexible units, purpose designed for high-tech businesses undertaking research and development. Current tenants operate within the biosciences, environmental, IT and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Arriving at 2.00pm, The Princess was met by the Chairman of Devon County Council, Cllr John Rawlinson, the Chief Executive of Exeter City Council, Mr Philip Bostock, the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Paul Smith and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Susan Smith and the Chancellor of the University, Dr Floella Benjamin OBE.
Once inside the Innovation Centre they were joined by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Steve Smith, the Registrar, Mr David Allen, Sir Harry Studholme from the South West of England RDA and Dr Robin Jackson, Director of the Innovation Centre.
The Princess then visited a number of companies based at the Innovation Centre, encountering businesses as diverse as software testing specialists through to environmental scientists.
Commenting on the occasion, the Chancellor of the University, Dr Floella Benjamin said ‘It was marvellous to be able to mark the significance of the opening of the Innovation Centre Phase II with a wonderful celebration graced by The Princess Royal. The Centre will be of enormous benefit to the economy of both the City of Exeter and the South West region, providing support and facilities for high-tech, high growth businesses and attracting the brightest and the best to the area.’
15/04/09: Invitation to Tender for a Marketing Assessment
Exeter Science Park invites suitably experienced organisations to tender for the provision of a market assessment for Exeter Science Park. The scope is to build upon previous work undertaken to assess further the potential markets and specific organisations that could locate to Exeter Science Park, identifying the unique characteristics of Exeter Science Park to attract tenants and to review the perceived barriers to locating to Exeter Science Park.
Further Information
- Marketing Assessment Tender ( 64kb)
31/03/09: £7 million funding boost for Exeter – building a bridge for the future
Devon County Council has secured £5.5m from the government to build a cycling and walking bridge over the M5 near junction 29, and a further £1.5m for improvements at M5 Junction 30.
The bridge will form an important new link across the M5 enabling more cycling and walking journeys between existing and planned employment and residential areas. It complements the plans that are being developed for the Exeter Science Park, and also the major highway improvement scheme at M5 Junction 29, by encouraging sustainable modes of travel.
The funding is from the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) which Central Government has established to support accelerated delivery of employment and housing in those areas such as Exeter which have been designated as Growth Points.
Detailed planning and design work will begin on the bridge project immediately, and construction is planned to start in early summer 2010.
Further Information
- Press Release 27th March 2009 ( 16kb)
23/03/09: Pre-planning application proposals exhibition
A series of public exhibitions recently took place with nearly 300 visitors looking at the Science Park planning proposals. Over 1000 leaflets were distributed door to door in Pinhoe, Sowton, Blackhorse and Clyst Honiton. Good press coverage was achieved with several articles appearing in local papers and TV reports on both BBC Spotlight and ITV Westcountry News.
The closing date for receipt of comments was Friday 20 March and now all responses will be collated and analysed to form the basis of the Statement of Community Involvement which is required to accompany the Outline Planning Application.
09/02/2009: Pre-planning Application Proposals Exhibition
A series of public exhibitions will take place at the end of February showing the outline planning application for Exeter Science Park.
The exhibition of the proposals will be held at the following locations;
Public Exhibitions
- Friday 27 February – Gipsy Hill Hotel, Exeter. 12.00pm – 8.00pm
- Saturday 28 February – Gipsy Hill Hotel, Exeter. 10.00am – 4.00pm
- Tuesday 3 March – Sowton Village Hall, 11.30am – 7.00pm
- Wednesday 4 March – Broadclyst Village Hall, 11.30am – 7.30pm
- Thursday 5 March – Rockbeare Village Hall, 11.30am – 7.00pm
Static Public Exhibition (Unmanned)
- Monday 9 March – Friday 13 March, Great Moor House, Sowton, 9.30am – 4.30pm
We would welcome your comments as part of the refinement of the planning application and would ask you to send these to Devon County Council by 20 March 2009 by emailing espexhibition@devon.gov.uk
Further Information
- Press Release 20th Feb 2009 ( 23kb)
- Leaflet ( 9.7mb)
- Poster ( 3.4mb)
- Masterplan ( 14.2mb)
- Supplementary Planning Document ( 4.1mb)
09/02/2009: Recruitment for an independent Chair
The newly formed Board of the Exeter Science Park has announced its intention to recruit an independent Chair to act as the external ambassador for this high profile project.
The Chair will be the champion and public face for this high profile project. They will have the enthusiasm and energy to take forward the vision and objectives of the Science Park. A proven track record of leadership with the strategic vision and capability to lead a high profile development is required.
Further Information (deadline for applications has now passed)
- Download the press release here. ( 8kb)
