Democracy doesn't work when people don't know  Upgrade to paid

NEWS

Exeter Science Park STEMM “grow-out building” construction begins

A new specialist centre for fast-growth Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths & Medicine businesses will be completed by November 2021.

Martin Redfern

A new building for small and medium-sized enterprises in the science, technology, engineering, maths and medical sectors is being developed at Exeter Science Park on the outskirts of the city.

The 1275 square metre three storey building is being constructed to BREEAM Excellent standards and will provide a combination of office, production, lab and meeting space in eleven units ranging from 65 to 335 square metres.

It is intended to cater for developing businesses which are out-growing accommodation in the science park’s incubator building as well as new tenants.

£5 million of its £5.3 million cost has been met from the £900 million national Getting Building Fund, which was targeted at areas facing the biggest economic challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The fund was distributed across the UK via Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to invest in “shovel ready” infrastructure projects which are intended to increase growth and create new jobs.

Heart of the South West LEP was allocated £35.4 million from the fund, £21 million of which was distributed between twelve projects across Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay, including the new Exeter Science Park building.

Illustration showing how the new building will look when completed Illustration showing how the new building will look when completed. Image: LHC Design.

Dr Sally Basker, Exeter Science Park CEO, said: “The grow-out building is a much-needed stepping stone between the science park centre’s incubation space for small, fast-growth companies and the Lamarr, Newton, Turing and Lovelace buildings for larger, steady growth companies.

“All of these buildings have been partly funded by the Heart of the South West LEP as part of its Growth Deal programme and we have worked in partnership with it to provide businesses with the space to grow and thrive.”

Work on the building is scheduled for completion in November 2021. Work on another twelve projects that received the remaining £14.4 million from the fund is expected to begin shortly.

Democracy doesn't work when people don't know

Public interest news that holds power and influence to account is more important now than it has ever been.

Democracy doesn't work when people don't know who is deciding what on whose behalf and what the costs and consequences of those decisions will be.

Exeter Observer was created to deliver the independent investigative journalism our local democracy needs.

It exists because people who think what we do matters are willing to chip in each month to help cover our costs.

We need more of our readers to contribute like this so we can keep producing and publishing our essential reporting.

133 of the 300 paying subscribers we need have signed up so far. Join them today to help us reach our goal.

If you value the work we do please support our work from less than £2/week. It's a small investment for a very big return.

Upgrade to paid

More stories
Grace Road Fields in March

Botched consultation restarted on sale of 8.5 acres of Riverside Valley Park green space

Council land disposal to include rights to lay underground distribution pipework across River Exe floodplain following “low-to-zero carbon” Grace Road Fields heat plant planning approval in face of Environment Agency sequential test concerns.

September 2025 permitted replacement scheme west elevation

Council denies data and contrives criteria to dismiss community balance concerns in third King Billy student block approval

Exeter Observer analysis finds more students living in city centre than residents as council bid to include PBSA in housing delivery figures weakens local planning policy – but does not remove it from decision-making altogether.

Exeter College and Petroc campuses map

Exeter College and Petroc merger set to create largest college group in South West

Colleges hold public consultation on creation of new organisation which they say would educate 16,000 students at Exeter and North Devon campuses and employ 2,000 staff with £100 million turnover.

Proposed Clarendon House student block aerial view

Proposals to replace Clarendon House with 297-bed student accommodation complex submitted for approval

Developer Zinc Real Estate arrives at final proposal for up to ten storey Paris Street roundabout redevelopment after nearly two years of informal public consultations and meetings with city councillors and officers.

Nadder Park Road application site location map

Barley Lane greenfield plans place persistent threat to Exeter’s north and north-west hills in spotlight

Council inability to identify sufficient land to meet government housing delivery targets leaves residents with faint hope of local plan policies preventing Nadder Park Road ridgeline development despite 175 public objections to scheme.

On Our Radar
Two Moors Festival musicians performing

WEDNESDAY 1 TO SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER 2025

Two Moors Festival

Chamber music festival celebrates 25th anniversary with performances, talks and workshops across fifteen venues.

DARTMOOR, EXMOOR & SURROUNDS

Play Interact Explore installation

SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER TO SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2025

Play Interact Explore

Theatre Alibi hosts an interactive exhibition suitable for all ages created by artists Leap then Look.

EMMANUEL HALL

Still from How the Little Mole Got His Trousers

SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 2025

Nature’s Resources

A programme of six short animated films explores the relationship between humans and non-human species.

EXETER PHOENIX