The team is working on a range of infrastructure projects, with partners, to support the growth and resilience of the economy. This includes the deployment of superfast broadband, development of a range of employment sites in strategic locations, mobile coverage, district heating and energy schemes.
Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS)
Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) is a local government-led partnership which helps to deliver next generation broadband infrastructure to areas where the market has failed to invest.
Over 326,000 homes and businesses already have access to superfast broadband as a direct result of investment by CDS – that’s more than any other broadband programme in England.
It is also one of the most cost-effective broadband programmes in England with costs per premise in the lowest quartile nationally, according to BDUK figures.
You can find out more information about the programme on the CDS website and you can follow @DCCSCCBroadband on Twitter and Connecting Devon and Somerset on LinkedIn.
Mobile Boost Scheme
The Mobile Boost scheme has been designed to help small businesses and households who currently have adequate outdoor but poor indoor mobile coverage. For more information and to apply for the scheme visit the CDS website.
Exeter and East Devon Growth Point
We are working in partnership with Exeter City Council, East Devon District Council, developers and central government, to deliver a development programme worth over £2 billion. This includes the first new town in Devon since medieval times, next generation business parks, and a community energy centre.
Devon County Council has worked in partnership with the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) and East Devon District Council to develop the Exeter & East Devon Enterprise Zone within the Growth Point.
This will provide business rate relief for new and growing businesses, worth up to £55,000 per business year on year, for up to 5 years. More information can be found on the East Devon District Council website.
Skypark
Adjacent to Exeter International Airport, Exeter’s Skypark is a new generation of business park combining office, industrial and distribution space with hotel, local facilities and a biomass and gas combined heat and power plant.
Skypark is predicted to have a significant positive impact on the local economy as part of the wider Exeter and East Devon Growth Point Initiative, with the creation of up to 6,500 jobs over the next 20 years. Skypark is one of the key sites in the Enterprise Zone.
Exeter Science Park
Exeter Science Park is situated in a 64-acre site, at Junction 29 of the M5 motorway, with convenient access to Exeter Airport and the city of Exeter. The train station at Pinhoe is a short distance away, with buses every 10 minutes to and from the city, and designated cycle routes.
The park offers high quality offices and laboratories for start-up, growing and established STEMM businesses, a programme of business focussed events, an onsite innovation and accelerator partner and wider ecosystem support helping businesses to succeed.
With a conference and meeting suite with onsite catering for up to 200 people, major tech, finance and sector bodies chose the science park as their main event venue.
A new sustainable 142 room hotel, voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, with restaurant, bar and gym, brings even more choice and amenities for businesses and organisations based at the Park.
Roundswell Enterprise Park
Roundswell Enterprise Park is being developed on the edge of Barnstaple to provide high-quality workspace and business support to SME businesses focused on those with high growth/value potential.
Node
Located on Roundswell Enterprise Park, Node offers high-quality office, coworking and collaboration space for entrepreneurs, business start-ups, and small and medium-sized businesses.
Strategic employment sites
In addition to developments at the Growth Point, and management of the Council’s own Industrial Estate Portfolio, the team is currently working to bring forward two strategic employment sites in West and North Devon, utilising land owned by DCC, and in response to identified economic need.
Okehampton East Business Park
This site comprises c.12 net developable acres for which outline planning consent has been secured for mixed business use. Infrastructure works have been completed and all the plots are now under offer to a good mix of mainly local and expanding businesses. The site when fully developed out has the potential to support more than 400 jobs.
Energy projects
Devon is one of 50 local authorities across the UK to deliver Net Zero Living Places, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Devon has been awarded £300,000 over 3 years to attract more “green finance” into the county to help deliver actions identified in the Devon Carbon Plan Devon Carbon Plan – Devon Climate Emergency The funding will help harness new investment opportunities to support innovative activity which will enable Net Zero commitments to be delivered in the county. We are working on 3 exemplar projects; Decarbonising Heathfield Industrial Estate, Natural Capital and Natural Flood Management with Home – Connecting the Culm and installing renewable energy on DCC’s own estate.
Innovate UK Net Zero Living Places
South West Net Zero Hub’s Local Net Zero Capacity
Mobile phone reception in Devon
Comprehensive mobile phone coverage in Devon is very important to economic and social development, and it is now regarded as a utility.
The Economy and Enterprise Service has commissioned consultants to work with us to develop a business case for public investment to improve mobile phone coverage. Procurement for scheme delivery is expected to be launched in early 2018.
Devon County Council statement on health risks from 5G technologies deployment – June 2019
The County Council draws on the advice and guidance provided by Public Health England (PHE) regarding the health and safety of mobile technologies including 5G.
PHE continues to monitor the health-related evidence applicable to radio waves, including in relation to base stations and is committed to updating its advice as required.
The County Council has been in touch with PHE (June 2019) to ask for any further advice. PHE responded to confirm that its briefing note on 5G is still current, and PHE has also recently updated its website with information on 5G. Read more about the statement here.
Transport lobbying and resilience
We work closely with our colleagues in transport planning to ensure that, where possible, Devon’s growth is not hindered by transport constraints. This includes lobbying central government and rail providers as well as providing economic evidence to support proposals.
One Public Estate Partnership
Devon County Council serves as the managing authority for the Devon and Torbay One Public Estate (OPE) Partnership. The OPE Partnership is a collaboration between local authorities and public sector bodies to deliver strategic public land use, housing, and co-location projects. OPE aims to create economic growth, deliver integrated public services, generate capital receipts, and reduce running costs of government buildings.