The North Devon Enterprise Centre is starting to take shape as construction work on the site continues apace.
With good progress being made, the main building work remains on target to be completed by the end of this year.
The Enterprise Centre is being developed at Devon County Council’s Business Park development at Roundswell, near Barnstaple, to provide accommodation for dynamic, high growth, and start-up businesses.
The building has been designed to be environmentally sustainable and includes a series of measures to ensure the building achieves BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Excellent status. Overall reductions of 25% have been achieved on carbon emissions through energy saving measures such as energy efficient lighting, use of natural daylight and enhanced thermal insulation materials.
Once construction has been completed, it is hoped that the environmental and carbon reduction ethos will be adopted by the innovative businesses that the Enterprise Centre will support from early next year.
Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said: “It’s great to see this project really coming together and everyone can see the excellent progress being made. The Enterprise Centre is one of many projects that will be playing an important part in ensuring that our local economy emerges stronger from the coronavirus pandemic. We all know the next couple of years are going to be challenging but it’s Team Devon’s ambition for our local economy to be more inclusive and sustainable – and the Enterprise Centre fits perfectly in that ambition.â€
Karl Tucker, Chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “With £2.15 million funding from our Growth Deal, I’m pleased to see this project progressing well as part of our portfolio of 69 schemes across the whole of the Heart of the South West that will generate growth, jobs and skills. As we come out of lockdown, new facilities for businesses such as the North Devon Enterprise Centre play an important role in the recovery of our region as we move towards a cleaner, greener economy.â€
Councillor Frank Biederman, Devon County Councillor for Fremington Rural, said: “It’s fantastic to see this project moving forward and the building now taking shape, this clearly is going to be such an important asset to support business start-ups here in Northern Devon. It looks like young people are going to find it toughest to get on the job market post Covid, so giving them the opportunity to be entrepreneurs and having the wrap around support is going to be a fantastic opportunity for those that are lucky enough to get a space. Its timing could not be better. I wish to thank all our officers involved in the bidding, planning and design of this project.â€
The centre has been designed to accommodate small and medium size businesses in individual offices, with common areas and an overall environment that will encourage collaboration, innovation and an enjoyable workspace.
The scheme has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership and Devon County Council.
Contractor ISG is developing the site on behalf of Devon County Council.
For more information about the Enterprise Centre or to register your interest, please email chris.bouchard@nps.co.uk