The claim to the largest space cluster outside of the US is set to be taken by Cornwall Newquay Airport, according to Al Titterington, Managing Director of the airport.

Speaking at our West of England Development Conference he said land surrounding the airport, which was formerly an RAF base until 2008, is set to be transformed. The site is already houses a partnership with Virgin Orbit, which is a new spaceport designed for horizontal launches of small satellites. Whilst this method is a core part of modern telecoms there hasn’t been a single launch from the UK. [emaillocker id=”71749″]

Titterington outlined the unique opportunities the area presents: “We have a large site of 700 acres for the airfield itself, 80 acres worth of business park land which is being developed and then we’ve got another 200 acres of land which is essentially earmarked for future development.” 

Another area that is developing high-tech industry in the that of Torbay, which recently saw the completion of an £8m Electronic Photonic Innovation Centre (EPIC). The scheme, which received funding from the council, LEP, the EU and the coastal communities fund has had a positive impact of the region according to Alan Denby, Director of Economic Strategy at TDA: “We have a cluster within Torbay and we’re extending it across the heart of the Southwest.”

Torbay Council has recently had a change in administration, which Denby said spurred a “desire for the council to be active” in terms of development.

A particular area which the council is trying to improve on is housing delivery, Denby said: “We need to accelerate the number of houses we are bringing forward; we are looking to be able to use the land to release funds.”

Mark Coker, Cabinet Member at Plymouth City Council, described Plymouth as “Britain’s Ocean City”, referring to the authority’s recent marketing campaign. Far from a hollow moniker, not only does the city have extensive maritime history but Plymouth has recently opened Britain’s first marine park in September as well as having developed an extensive marine sector.

Whilst according to Coker “plymouth and the south west has traditionally struggled with funding, particularly on transportation”, the seaside city has had substantial success in achieving government funding, starting with £7.6m from the Transforming Cities Fund in 2014 and £90m as part of the Growth Deal One.

Coker described their current funding aspirations: “Now we’re in the process of putting in our tranche 2 where we have been asked to put in a bid of £90m at the lowest, £220m at the highest.”

Plymouth is utilising its extensive funding to pursue a local plan with South Devon Council, which Coker claimed, “will open up the opportunity for up to 26,000 new homes and 19,000 new jobs.”

Plans include the Derriford Hospital Scheme, a £2.14m public transport access plan, the Derriford Transport Scheme – a £17.3m plan unlocking land for housing and industry, and the  £4.25m East Corridor junction improvements.

One Public has also been investing heavily across the Peninsula, spending £30m over the course of 150 projects and Belinda Purcell, South West Regional Programme Manager, discussed details on their most recent scheme in Plymouth: “We’ve provided funded to bring forward the redevelopment of Plymouth railway station, it will bring forward jobs, homes and a new gateway to the city.”

The masterplan includes a new University of Plymouth nursing and midwifery hub, a multi-story car park, the modernisation of station staff accommodation and new public spaces.

Purcell said that in Dorset the programme has funded modular housing for social care clients with complex needs, as well as  “funding hospital redevelopments, blue light integration, public sector hubs and wider housing development across the region.”

The programme has made a real impact in Exeter especially, helping to recycle developer profits into a future pipeline of housing, transport and energy projects.

Exeter is also receiving new developments by Eutopia Homes, according to Chief Executive Scott Hammond. He said: “We acquired 15 acres off Network Rail on the fringe of Exeter city centre, located fairly close to both campuses of the university. We’re looking to develop 230 build to rent housing units and 65 retirement beds. We’ve been through various different design review panels as is standard practice for stakeholder engagement and we’re hopeful of going to planning committee soon.”

Clarion Housing are undertaking extensive work in Plymouth, redeveloping the 1960s Barne Barton social housing estate. Alexandra Wiley, Head of Regeneration Projects for the firm, explained the state of the area: “Barne Barton is one of our developments in Plymouth, it’s a site built in the 1960s, all two bedroom flats, well past their sell by date, it’s also mono-tenure social housing.” 

Wiley remarked on the strong community in the area, and Clarion formed a community steering group before even deciding to develop. The decision to preserve and build on the natural landscape came directly out of the consultation and has won the scheme a wildlife preservation award.  She summarised the progress on the project: “We’ve got full planning approval for both phases and we’re out on the DPP3 for the main contract for phase 1, hoping to start demolition just before Christmas 2019.”

Through projects large and small, the peninsular region is starting to assert itself, on a national, international and outerspace scale. [/emaillocker]