NEWS

Met Office to sell Exeter Science Park supercomputer and office buildings

Disposal motivated by replacement of nine year-old supercomputer with £1.2 billion government-funded off-site Microsoft facility.

Leigh Curtis

The Met Office is set to sell its Exeter Science Park leasehold property including its supercomputer and an adjacent office building.

A procurement tender for a commercial agent with data centre expertise to manage the disposal of the property within the terms of the Met Office leasehold at the ten year-old development site closed last month.

The terms stipulate that the prospective purchaser must have a “science and/or research basis” and that the buildings which comprise the 13,240 square metre complex cannot be sold separately.

The sale of the complex is motivated by the replacement of the nine year-old Met Office Cray XC40 supercomputer with a Microsoft-provided off-site facility.

The facility is part of a £1.2 billion government-funded joint project with the Met Office that was announced in 2021.

Met Office building at Exeter Science Park Met Office building at Exeter Science Park. Photo: Exeter Science Park.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Our buildings on the Exeter Science Park were completed in 2017 to house what was our new supercomputer.

“We are now coming to the point where the next iteration of the supercomputer will be delivered at an off-site Microsoft facility. This means we no longer have a use for the buildings.

“We have therefore decided to dispose of the buildings in line with the government estate strategy, which is to use buildings and land as efficiently as possible and to dispose of any unused assets to save money.”

Subscribe to The Exeter Digest - Exeter Observer's essential free email newsletter

Your personal information will be processed and stored in accordance with our Privacy Policy

Exeter Science Park opened in 2015 after a troubled nine year development process.

Last year Exeter City Council had to sink an additional £1.25 million into management company Exeter Science Park Ltd, which it jointly owns with Devon County Council, East Devon District Council and the University of Exeter, after the company was unable to repay debts of £7 million.


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 is proving that reader-funded media can deliver the independent public interest journalism our local democracy needs.

Upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription to support our work and get access to exclusive premium content and more.

More stories
Wild camping on Dartmoor

Supreme Court rejects Dartmoor landowners’ attempt to prevent wild camping on their land

Judges unanimously dismiss appeal by Alexander and Diana Darwall against 2023 ruling upholding Dartmoor Commons Act as campaigners call for enhanced public rights to access nature pledged by Labour when still in opposition.

Child on park bench

Ofsted finds Devon County Council children’s services remain “inadequate” with rating unchanged since 2020

Inspection report highlights “serious weaknesses” that are “leaving children at risk of harm” as failings echo poor Special Educational Needs & Disabilities provision.

Mid Devon District Council headquarters at Phoenix House in Tiverton

Mid Devon District Council mischarged 2,865 social housing tenants £15.5 million in rent over twenty years

Housing regulator identifies “serious failings” in application of rent standard as council discovers dozens of evictions in which “rent arrears were the sole, or contributory factor”.

Dartmoor wildfire on 5 May 2025, photo by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Dartmoor National Park warns of continued high fire risk after wildfire destroys 1,230 acres of moorland

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service took nearly 24 hours to extinguish bank holiday weekend blaze that followed warning of uncontrolled moorland fire risk.

Former Firezza in Sidwell Street to become adult gaming centre

24 hour year-round Sidwell Street “adult gaming centre” allowed at appeal

Planning inspector finds no evidence that “increase in crime and disorder” or “serious detrimental impacts on the health of local residents” would result from change of use from restaurant and takeaway unit.

Haven Banks development illustrative aerial view

Twelve months temporary church use extension sought for Haven Banks Liveable Exeter development site units

Second year of “worship and ancillary uses” for retail park units to follow December 2023 planning approval for ultra-high density build-to-rent scheme for which neither planning permission nor consent notice yet published.

On Our Radar
Augustine Fogwoode in The Mushroom Show

MONDAY 26 MAY 2025

The Mushroom Show

Scratchworks Theatre Company combines interactive games, comedy and music to explore the fascinating world of fungi.

EMMANUEL HALL

Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò

SATURDAY 31 MAY 2025

Love, Devotion and Harmonious Melodies

Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò perform medieval music on historical instruments.

ST NICHOLAS PRIORY

Exeter Respect Festival

SATURDAY 7 & SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

Exeter Respect Festival 2025

The annual celebration of Exeter diversity returns for its 28th anniversary with live music and performance, food stalls, community and campaign groups.

BELMONT PARK

Exeter City Of Literature literary map

SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

The Book Market 2025

Exeter City of Literature event features independent booksellers from across the county with author talks, stalls, food and drink.

CATHEDRAL GREEN

Exeter Custom House

SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

Heritage Harbour Festival 2025

The maritime-themed event returns for a third year with steam boats, exhibitions, talks, live music, film screenings and more.

EXETER QUAY

Art Week Exeter 2025 graphic

MONDAY 9 TO SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2025

Art Week Exeter 2025

Festival returns with exhibitions, film screenings, talks, workshops, performances, social events and an art car boot sale.

EXETER CITY CENTRE