An eagerly awaited specialist training venue for the renewable energy and sustainable construction sectors, which has been heralded as having national significance for the industry, will soon become a reality with the completion of its land acquisition.
GVA, the UK’s largest independent commercial property advisor, has represented South Devon College in the purchase of 1.2 acres of land at the entrance to the White Rock Business Park in Paignton for the £6.5 million South West Energy Centre. The vendor, Abacus Project Ltd, was advised by Jones Lang LaSalle.
The acquisition paves the way for South Devon College to start construction of the specialist skills centre, which is hoped will open in Summer 2013. Planning permission for the centre, the design of which is described as dynamic and bold, was unanimously granted by Torbay Council in June.
The South West Energy Centre is to become a hub for the training needs of businesses, tradesmen, construction and energy professionals as well as members of the community who have an interest in environmental technologies.
Laurence Frewin, vice principal of corporate services at South Devon College, said: “The sustainable construction and low carbon sector is one of the few areas of growth in the UK. It is not just about training, but also about engaging businesses and consumers so that they understand how they can benefit from sustainable construction and renewable energy.
“With the completion of our land acquisition all the blocks are now in place and we are in a position to move forward to the next phase of our development.”
Jo Davis, senior director at GVA who led the successful planning application, said, “This project is of great significance. It will equip students, businesses and households with valuable knowledge about sustainable development and renewable energy. It will become a driver for the economy here in the south west.”
The centre will employ 16 full-time members of staff, but there could be as many as 400 jobs created in total once construction and the material supply chain are taken into consideration.
Alongside the Energy Centre will be the demonstration Passivehouse which will be used as part of the teaching curriculum to show how modern technologies can be fitted to homes. Both buildings will benefit from solar panels. The Energy Centre will feature a large glazed entrance hall, café, internal viewing galleries and walkways.
The South West Energy Centre is part funded by a £2.4m investment from the European Regional Development Fund South West Competitiveness and Employment Programme, which has just been secured by South Devon College, alongside a £2m grant from the Skills Funding Agency and £1.2m from the Regional Growth Fund.
