An impressive level of enquiries for the landmark Exeter Science Park demonstrates that the high-tech facility is acting as a significant catalyst for growth in the South West, according to national property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH).
LSH, which is the agent appointed to market the first phase of the science park, said the 55-acre site is attracting the attention of a number of innovative businesses considering relocating there or launching new enterprises.
Peter Musgrove, head of office at LSH in Bristol, said the recent news that veterinary pathologist Torrance Diamond Diagnostic Services (TDDS) has taken on 8,500 sq ft of a new 17,000 sq ft grow-on building has renewed further interest in the park.
“This new building demonstrates that the Science Park is proving to be excellent news for the region,” he said. “We are receiving a high number of enquiries from businesses in the science and technology sectors that are keen to explore the opportunities that this outstanding facility offers.
“We are talking to a number of potential occupiers and we are confident that we will soon be announcing a number of new tenants for the new grow-on space in due course.
“It is heartening not only to see the high level of interest in these exceptional facilities but also to anticipate the positive impact that the science park will have on the local economy.”
Construction of the building that TDDS is moving to is scheduled to start in 2017, with an expected completion in early 2018. It is being funded by TDDS with match-funding by Exeter Science Park through the Growth Deal 2 funding grant from Heart of South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The LEP is also planning to fund another new 10,000 sq ft grow-on building on the Science Park, which will be the first speculative office space in Exeter since 2008.
“The construction of a speculative office building at the Park highlights the increased confidence that the region is experiencing at the moment,” added Peter.
Exeter Science Park will comprise 850,000 sq ft of low-density BREEAM excellent buildings across the site. Eagle House, a multi-tenanted facility, opened in December 2013, while the Exeter Science Park Centre opened last year. The Met Office is due to start the move into its High Performance Computer (HPC) and research collaboration complex later this year.
The science park is being developed by Exeter Science Park Ltd, whose shareholders are Devon County Council, the University of Exeter, Exeter City Council, and East Devon District Council.
