An empty patch of land looks set to become a hotbed of industry and enterprise with the creation of commercial units at one of Plymouth’s most successful business parks as part of a £2m scheme.
Brady Construction Services has been awarded the contract by Plymouth City Council to design and build up to 10 new high-quality and sustainable units at the Plymouth International Medical and Technology Park, in Derriford, in the north of the city.
Work is forecast to start on site in the summer to create about 1,745sq m of flexible office accommodation and light industrial space.
It will incorporate sustainable features to help minimise carbon emissions and running costs, including solar photovoltaic panels, increased levels of insulation, LED lighting, natural ventilation, electric vehicle charging pods and highly efficient heating systems.
The offices and industrial work spaces are expected to support between 70 and 90 full-time jobs and be attractive to a range of businesses.
Funding for the project is part of a package worth almost £7m allocated by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership from the Government’s Getting Building Fund to invest in major infrastructure projects to support economic growth across the city.
About £2million is being shared between the Plymouth International Medical and Technology Park project and a redevelopment of City Business Park.
The council has been actively working on the scheme, including feasibility and design stages, before it was granted planning permission in October 2021.
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When complete, the premises will form part of the council’s property portfolio, helping to bring in rental income into the city’s services. As it falls within the city boundaries, the businesses would also contribute business rates to Plymouth.
The city already has a number of “direct development” schemes including . Hearder Court phase 2 at Langage Business Park is now fully let with phase 3 construction now underway.
Conservative council leader Nick Kelly said: “We are focussed on the task of creating jobs and opportunities here in Plymouth. This is the council building workspaces that are flexible enough to meet the needs of all types of businesses.”
He added: “Plymouth needs employment space for businesses to flourish and thanks to help from the Heart of the South West’s LEP’s Getting Building Fund, we are able to get cracking on this and get spades into the ground.
“Not only are we helping to meet the demand for employment space, we are helping secure local construction and supply chain jobs. It’s a win-win for Plymouth.”
Brady Construction director David Agnew said “We are extremely proud to have been selected to deliver this project for Plymouth City Council. Having established ourselves in the city, we are delighted to be able to be an integral part of a scheme to create high-quality office and industrial space for local businesses in Plymouth.
“We are fully committed to working with our local supply chain and will continue our relationship with Building Plymouth in connecting local people with apprenticeship and career opportunities.’’
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Plymouth International Business Park is a well-established and popular location for employment space and good modern premises are in short supply.
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Organisations already based there include The Peninsula Radiology Academy, Biovault Technical, the 海角视频’s leading and largest private tissue bank, and K2 Medical Systems. It is in the north of Plymouth which is set to grow significantly during the next 15 years.
In 2020 the Government confirmed a list of more than 300 projects which will receive a share of £900m from the Getting Building Fund for “shovel-ready” infrastructure schemes to create jobs and support economic recovery.
The Heart of the South West LEP secured a total allocation of £35.4m from the Getting Building Fund – the highest allocation in the South West.
Karl Tucker, chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The HotSW LEP’s Getting Building Fund aims to support shovel-ready projects that will contribute to our area’s post-Covid recovery and deliver new jobs.
“We’re delighted to support Plymouth City Council with £2m from the fund, to help businesses flourish and help meet the demand for employment space in the area.”