One of Plymouth’s highly-successful international business parks is to be expanded to allow more businesses to set up there.The green light has been given for planning permission to develop an acre plot at the Plymouth International Medical and Technology Park in Derriford.
Permission has been granted to build light industrial and office units on a site off William Prance Road on what used to be part of Seaton Barracks. The approval is for two buildings for light industrial and office space. Block one comprises four units with mezzanine space above which could be either independent office space or storage space. Block 2 comprises six separate but connectable office units.
The development will be highly sustainable incorporating solar panels, EV charging points, high levels of insulation, efficient heating, solar reflective glass and a sustainable drainage system.
A team from the Council worked alongside Plymouth-based companies, Bailey Partnership and partners Airey and Coles, to develop the design and progress it[RK1] through the planning process. Local company John Grimes Partnership also carried out the geo technical work.
The project will be going out to tender over the next month for a main contractor to design and build the development. The build is expected to last around a year with units available from Spring 2022 on a leasehold basis. The Council has committed to spending locally as much as possible under the Spend 4 Plymouth pillar of its Resurgam recovery programme.
Council leader Tudor Evans said: “Now, more than ever, we need to be confident and encourage our businesses to stay, thrive and succeed here. We set out a case for this scheme which could create or support around 56 full time jobs once it is ready and we know there is ongoing demand for good modern and flexible business space.
“But long before anything happens on site, we are working with Plymouth companies to get this project through to the next stage. We are helping companies who employ highly skilled people living in Plymouth, to build premises to attract more business.
“That is what our Resurgam recovery programme is about - creating opportunities and helping our businesses and our city to recover.”
The city has a number of ‘direct development’ schemes including Oceansgate at Devonport which specialises in marine technology companies and Hearder Court at Langage Business Park.
Plymouth International Business Park is a well-established and popular location for employment space and good modern premises are in short supply.
Organisations already based there include The Peninsula Radiology Academy, Biovault Technical, the UK’s leading and largest private tissue bank and K2 Medical Systems.
It is in the north of Plymouth which is set to grow significantly over the next 15 years.