The next phase of expansion

Despite current difficulties, expansion of the Exeter sub-regional economy is to continue over the next two decades with planned developments currently making good progress. Central to this strategy will be continuing to secure a balance between jobs, housing, transportation and environmental impact on the sub-region.

The core elements of growth comprise a sustainable new community at Cranbrook with a minimum of 7,500 dwellings, along with a science park, a high-quality business park, an intermodal rail freight terminal, plus a range of other greenfield and brownfield sites for employment and housing uses. More than £100m of public spending on infrastructure and other projects has been identified to support the delivery of these developments in the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point, the value of which could reach over £1bn once completed.

The Exeter growth area is expected to deliver 28,500 new homes, a significant number of which will be provided as a strategic urban extension of the City within neighbouring East Devon. Since 2007 Exeter City Council, East Devon District Council and Devon County Council have entered into a formal partnership with the Government to deliver this growth agenda and the Exeter and East Devon New Growth Point represents a successful coming together of the local authorities to meet the housing and employment needs of the sub-region. It is anticipated that some 28,500 new jobs will be created in the travel to work area by 2026.

Exeter established itself as a fast growing economy prior to the recession as well as successfully regenerating its city centre with the award winning Princeshay development. The city has also developed as a strong base for science and knowledge. In the last 12 months, the University of Exeter has consolidated its position as a major research university and its success in recent years has played a key role in attracting international organisations to Exeter, such as the Met Office headquarters.

The 24 hectare Exeter Science Park is being developed in partnership with the Met Office, the University of Exeter, East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council, Devon County Council and the South West RDA. The park will offer extensive new facilities encouraging enterprise, science and research and development related activities as well as offering high quality space for businesses ranging from start-ups to major corporate headquarters. The university’s Innovation Centre is seen as having made a major contribution to ‘preparing the ground’ for the science park.

Devon County Council has also signed a joint venture partnership with St Modwen to deliver 40 hectares of high quality business space called Skypark. This business district will provide 1.4m sq ft of office and industrial/manufacturing space.

Exeter International Airport has expanded dramatically in the last decade and now serves over 50 destinations in 22 countries including three hubs with extensive world-wide links. The airport is also home to the new multi-million pound Flybe sponsored training centre, currently under construction, which will reinforce its engineering as well as other training capacity in Exeter.

Together with these strategic employment sites and improvements to major transport routes, the vision is to create truly sustainable communities linking housing at Cranbrook and also urban extensions at the eastern and south western edges of the city, directly linked to major new employment locations.

Meanwhile to the east of Exeter, contributions are being made to the sustainable credentials of the city. Skypark and the Science Park will create skilled employment opportunities in high quality internal and external working environments, accommodating staff in low or zero carbon buildings with sustainable transport links. The intermodal rail freight handling facility with a new rail head, goods yard and warehousing facilities, has the potential for major reduction in the transportation of goods by heavy goods vehicles, and transfers to more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Progress is real. Resolutions to grant outline planning permission have been passed for both the Science Park and Skypark and planning consent for the intermodal freight terminal has also been granted. Detailed work to deliver these developments is well advanced.

To find out more about the Exeter economy contact Richard Ball, Head of Economy and Tourism, Exeter City Council by email: richard.ball@exeter.gov.uk