Backing for Paignton 'Silicon Valley' project

'Now all we need is the California weather!'

Part of Paignton is to become Torbay’s own ‘Silicon Valley’

The next phase of an ambitious high-tech business plan has been agreed by councillors and “now all we need is the California weather!” according to Cllr Chris Lewis (Con, Preston), cabinet member for economic growth.

The full council voted unanimously to dip into a £20 million fund pledged by the previous government to buy a piece of land off Long Road in Paignton.

Last November the government pledged the ‘levelling up’ money for improvements to the fish quay at Brixham and the new ‘innovation zone’ at Paignton.

The project was dubbed the ‘fish and chips’ bid.

Building a new technology park off Long Road will allow high-tech electronics businesses in the nearby Epic centre to expand, as well as bringing in new investment.

Cllr Lewis told the meeting: “This is all about high-paid jobs and opportunities for our youngsters.”

He said the park would create hundreds of new jobs which would stop so many people moving away from the bay to work.

“The sooner we get the land, the sooner we can get on with building, and get those jobs under way,” he added.

Cllr Swithin Long (Lib Dem, Barton with Watcombe) said the project would build on the legacy of Nortel and other cutting-edge electronics companies that had used the Paigntion site over the years.

And former Nortel employee Cllr Darren Cowell (Independent, Shiphay) added: “We need to make sure we are promoting our high-tech centre, and buying this parcel of land sends out the right messages.”