An empty patch of land looks set to become a hotbed of industry and enterprise with the creation of 10 new high quality and sustainable commercial units at one of Plymouth’s most successful business parks.
Brady Construction Services have been awarded the contract by Plymouth City Council to design and build up to 10 new units at the Plymouth International Medical and Technology Park in Derriford.
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.’’
Work is forecast to start on site in the summer to create around 1,745 square metres of high quality and 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 different types of business.
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 type of businesses.”
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 has a number of ‘direct development’ schemes including Oceansgate at Devonport which specialises in marine technology companies. Hearder Court phase 2 at Langage Business Park is now fully let with phase 3 construction now underway.
Councillor Kelly 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.”
The Council has been actively working on the scheme, including feasibility and design stages, before the scheme was granted planning permission last October.
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.
The funding 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. Around £2 million is being shared between this project and a redevelopment of City Business Park.
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 of employment space in the area.”