Work is to begin on two new buildings at Exeter Science Park after Kier Construction was awarded the contract for the project towards the end of last month.

These buildings are said to be the first new speculative office space to be built in Exeter since 2008. Funding has been provided by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), with planning permission granted by East Devon District Council last July.

The buildings will also benefit from Enterprise Zone status, which came into effect at the beginning of last month.

This will offer STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) businesses relocating to Exeter Science Park up to £250,000 of business-rate relief over a five-year period.

Sally Basker, chief executive at Exeter Science Park (www.exetersciencepark.co.uk), said: “Even at this early stage, the Science Park is being recognised for its potential, due to its geographical location, transport links, world-renowned knowledge base, the existing business base across the region and the exciting tenants already in the centre.

“We are looking forward to working with Kier and are expecting significant demand for the new grow-on space.”

Steve Hindley, chairman of the Heart of the South West LEP, said: “The LEP is pleased that this project will start on site this summer, adding value to the already successful LEP-funded projects at the Science Park, which is one of the seven sites in the Heart of the South West Enterprise Zone package.”