THE planned Energy Centre at the Skypark development near Exeter Airport has this week received full planning permission, marking an important milestone for the region as it moves closer to operating as a low carbon economy.

Permission for an Energy Centre as part of a combined Heat and Power District Heating Scheme for both Skypark and the new community of Cranbrook was granted in April this year, subject to a section 106 legal agreement. This week East Devon District Council, together with Skypark’s joint venture partners, St Modwen, the UK’s leading regenerations specialist and Devon County Council, have completed the section 106 legal agreement for the Energy Centre and the full planning permission has now been issued.

Skypark is being developed into an exemplar low carbon business park with a combined heat and power district heating plant on site.

Councillor Ray Franklin, EDDC’s portfolio holder for planning and regeneration and the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point chairman, commended the efforts of those involved, saying: “I am incredibly proud of everyone who has worked on this scheme, together we identified the opportunity for reducing carbon emissions and increasing sustainability by bringing these major developments under one energy scheme and we have been pushing the boundaries of current development models to make it happen. As a planning authority we are also thrilled to be that bit closer to the delivery of Skypark and the prospect of thousands of new jobs coming into the district.

“We have been working closely with Skypark’s joint venture partners and I can say with confidence that this development promises the highest standards of design and sustainability and a wide variety of skilled employment opportunities.”

The Energy Centre although located on the Skypark development will supply the district heating network at Cranbrook, reducing Co2 emissions across both developments and enabling them to reach higher levels of sustainability

Ian Guy, senior development manager for St. Modwen said: “Our vision is to see Skypark leading the way in sustainable development and envisage the development playing a major role in strengthening the region as a low carbon economy.”

As joint venture partners in Skypark, DCC was delighted to hear the Energy Centre now has full planning permission.

County Councillor William Mumford, cabinet member for economic regeneration and strategic planning, added: “We are determined that Devon’s economy will emerge stronger from the recession and Skypark is a key element of that.

“Not only will Skypark provide the cornerstone for future economic growth in the area, creating thousands of new jobs, but it can also become a leading example of a low carbon development.”