A city-wide partnership has been established, uniting Plymouth City Council, Babcock International Group (Babcock) and the Royal Navy, to ensure Plymouth has what it needs to support the future growth of the city.
The partners will work together to ensure that Plymouth has the right infrastructure in place to enable critical programmes delivered at Devonport that support the UK’s Submarine and Surface Fleet. Babcock’s Devonport facility, where major naval nuclear infrastructure investments are already underway are developing state-of-the-art facilities, to meet the evolving needs and availability of the UK’s Submarine Fleet.
Babcock’s Devonport facility needs to attract an estimated 5,500 employees over the next ten years, just to sustain its core defence workforce, and a further 2,000 construction workers to sustain delivery of the infrastructure contracts at the busy site.
Known as the ‘Growth Alliance Plymouth’, the partnership will focus on three areas when it comes to investing in the wider city, working with the Government to make sure investment delivers a balanced approach for everybody in Plymouth and the region. They will consider areas such as education and skills, housing and regeneration, transport and innovation.
Last week, John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, agreed to take a cross-government approach to ensuring that the wider city of Plymouth is ready to put these plans in place. Next week, a cross departmental group of senior officials will meet to begin work, with representatives from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “Growth Alliance Plymouth is a firm commitment by our three organisations to work together to deliver this once in a lifetime opportunity.
“The Babcock facility in Plymouth is vital to our country’s defences. It is the only place in the UK that can support the deep maintenance of the Continuous At Sea Deterrent (the nuclear submarines). Providing Devonport Naval Base with the infrastructure and staff to support the new Dreadnought Class is a national endeavour.
“Locally, the Devonport facility, co-located with the Naval Base, is vital to the future economy of our city. Even before the additional funding for the infrastructure investment, it employed more than 11 per cent of our working population. And financially, it creates 14% of our city’s economic output.
“The project will create more jobs for Plymouth’s people. Therefore, it is imperative that we make sure that we have the right city infrastructure in place to support this growth.”
John Gane, Managing Director at Babcock’s Devonport Facility, said: “A commitment to invest in the city of Plymouth and the wider region is vital. The complex work we deliver on our site is crucial in supporting the nation’s Continuous at Sea Deterrent, and we are proud to be working alongside key partners in the city to realise the many benefits this ongoing infrastructure development programme will bring, including the increase in training and employment opportunities for our local communities.”
Brigadier Mike Tanner, Naval Base Commander HMNB Devonport , added: “I was delighted to read the Secretary of State’s clear intent to ensure that national investment in the Naval Base is sustainable and deliverable – and brings growth to Plymouth whilst securing our Nation’s defence.
“This announcement is a key milestone resulting from over a year’s work between the Royal Navy, Babcock and the City. It is a brilliant example of all elements of the City working and thinking together strategically. I am particularly enthused by the focus on putting well paid skills into the hands of the people of Plymouth, with clear employment in the Naval Base for them out to 2070.”