From an empty plot to raising the roof and installing solar panels - one of Plymouth’s Resurgam projects is making huge progress.
New high quality sustainable factory space is transforming the plot at the well-established Broadley Park industrial estate. The estate at Roborough is home to a significant number of companies including Cittal CSM, Amazon and nearby Burts Potato Chips. Now thanks to a £2.4 million investment by the Council into creating brand new speculative facilities, more companies will have the opportunity to locate here.
Council Leader Tudor Evans OBE said: “We have proved time and again that new modern facilities attracts businesses to the city and encourage existing ones to expand. Now more than any other time, we need to show Plymouth is at the top of its game and is confident it will attract new business.
“Not only will this facility see up to 65 people employed there, the build involves around 30 or so skilled people from a local company carrying out the work.
“We build places for people to work in, for businesses to grow and for their employees to have money in their pockets, some job security and opportunity here in Plymouth.
“Our Resurgam programme is all about creating and protecting jobs. We also promised to look at ways to be as green as possible and this building certainly fits that criteria.”
The 1.65 acre plot will see two new blocks built, providing a total of 2,090 sq m (22,500sqft) of quality employment space for small, medium or large businesses to lease.
Sustainability is key in this development – specific elements include solar photo-voltaic panels on the roof, high levels of insulation, natural ventilation, LED lighting, efficient heating systems and future-proofed for EV charging.
Work started at the beginning of March and while a few weeks were lost due to the shutdown, the contractors were back on site at the beginning of May. Working outside, they were able to take into account social distancing requirements.
If all goes according to plan, the units could be ready to have businesses move in before the end of the year.
Shaun Bennington, Director of Devon Contractors said: “We have worked on various projects with Plymouth City Council and delighted to have been appointed as the main contractor on this project. Once completed the self-contained units available for rent will be much needed in this part of Plymouth and help create local employment in this area.”
Plymouth has the highest concentration of manufacturing employment of any city south of the Midlands, but there is a shortage of good quality industrial and commercial space. Industrial space continues to perform well in 2020 and has not been as affected by the economic impact of COVD 19 as retail, leisure and other sectors.
The new development will have a range of flexible unit sizes (from 350 sq m (3,750sqft) to 2,090sq m (22,500sqft) and available to businesses from start-ups to expanding local and national businesses.
The units are available to lease and interested parties can call 01752 304202 or email landandproperty@plymouth.gov.uk