In my previous article for the Herald Express, I wrote of the enormous opportunities that would be provided to South Devon by securing funding from the Levelling Up Partnership. I was unaware we would also be successful in the third round of the Levelling Up Fund, thus securing £20m for Brixham’s harbour and Paignton’s high-tech photonics sector.
This money promises to make a world of difference and coupled with an additional £4m from Torbay Council, means Brixham Harbour will receive over £16m and Paignton’s business park over £8m. The bid entitled ‘Brixham Fish and Hi Tech Chips’ ably demonstrated the opportunity there is to support long-established businesses such as those within the fishing sector as well as developing industries such as photonics.
For Brixham Harbour, plans are now being worked up to expand the fish quay in a way that cooperates with the local community while enhancing the potential to land more catch and see more jobs created in connection with the fishing sector. The town has always been the traditional heartland of the fishing sector in England and Wales, and this funding from Government means its future is safeguarded.
If correctly done, the expansion plans will be to the benefit of every vessel, fisherman and marine-based business. It will create new jobs and perhaps most importantly will ensure this coastal town is not turned into a second home hot spot.
As for the plans in Paignton, well, they offer us the chance to turbocharge the development of a high-tech sector that is rapidly growing in the UK and one that plays a part in nearly every piece of technology – photonics. Simply put, photonics is the science and technology of light. It is technology that can be found in your printer, phone and solar panels and it can be used for information processing, metrology and quantum computing.
Here in South Devon, we are not just domestically leading but globally leading. Since the closure of Nortel, the local expertise and knowledge have helped to create a high-tech sector that is the envy of many. This money promises to help find a place and space for this sector to develop, enhance training opportunities for the young and ensure we have a diverse and vibrant economy that provides the technology of tomorrow.
Success in politics can be fleeting, but after three years of work on the Levelling Up Fund submissions in cooperation with Torbay Council, I am beyond delighted to have secured such a high level of investment. It makes the endless hours of meetings, amendments and pitches all the more worthwhile to know we now have the support to help old and new businesses thrive.
So, what’s next? The plans for Brixham Harbour and the Electronics and Photonics Park will need to be checked validated. But in the meantime, the tentative offering of further funding from the Levelling Up Partnership looms large. We must ensure funding is delivered and works in conjunction with these plans, so that we can direct real investment into Brixham’s high street and town centre as well as create many more jobs across South Devon.
With over £107m committed to Torbay through the Town’s Fund, High Streets Fund, Regeneration Fund and now the Levelling Up Fund, we are delivering for residents of South Devon.