We’ve got some pretty strong signals that up to £10 million is on the way to help exciting Plymouth construction projects off the ground.
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership has been allocated over £35 million from the Government’s Getting Building Fund to spend on projects ready to go and £10 million of that is within sight for key Plymouth projects. The projects chosen will support employment, regeneration, skills and innovation and play an important part of the city’s economic recovery programme, Resurgam.
Leader of Plymouth City Council, Tudor Evans OBE, said: “This is cracking news. We responded quickly with a number of shovel ready projects and the case on each was very compelling. If there are further calls, we have a pipeline of projects lined up and ready to go.
“Through Resurgam we set out our stall that economic recovery for Plymouth is massively important to us - this approach is already paying off.”
The projects are:
• An additional £4.17 million for Phase 2 of Brunel Plaza/train station concourse development. The city has ambitious plans to transform this gateway, creating a thriving entrance with public realm, office and retail. A series of phased developments is planned including modernising and refreshing the concourse. Phase 1 of the concourse entails moving and expanding the ticket gateline. Phase 2 is about enhancing the look of the concourse and providing better facilities for visitors and passengers.
• £1.9 million for City Business Park in Stoke to help fund a new sustainable building providing 10,000 square feet of flexible workspace for start-ups and businesses looking to expand.
• £1.03 million Plymouth Science Park – towards development of a new health technology innovation centre to drive the growth of the health tech sector. The hub will support businesses, becoming a focal point between them, the University of Plymouth’s world class research and the University Hospital’s Plymouth NHS Trust.
• £350,000 to refurbish the welding facilities at City College Plymouth. There is currently high demand for skilled welders across the South West and the funding will enable the college to double the number of welding bays and specialist trainers.
Plymouth is also bidding for £1.7 million funding from the HotSW LEP’s Green Housing and Business Programme to deliver 68 net zero carbon homes and help retrofit homes.
A business case will now be completed for all the projects by the end of August.