FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Find out more about The Clean Maritime Innovation Centre

• What is the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre?

The Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre is a global leading research and development space for next generation sustainable maritime initiatives.  Funded, in part, by £15.6m from The Levelling Up Fund, the new Centre will provide a regional focal point for activity across the Celtic Sea and beyond through the provision of Workshops and Office space with access to the Estuary via a 100 metre Quay Wall and an improved slipway.  The centre proposes to support innovation in fields including clean propulsion, maritime cyber security, robotics, aquaculture and environmental intelligence.

• Why Maritime?

The term 'maritime' is used to describe activities, industries, infrastructure and ecosystems that involve or occur within the ocean or along the coastline. It covers, but is not limited to, navigation, shipping, ports, harbours and jetties, as well as the marine environment.

Clean innovation in the maritime sector is crucial to meet the UK's zero-emissions targets by 2050. Key targets, set out in the 2025 UK's Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, includes a 30% reduction in maritime sector emissions by 2030 and an 80% reduction by 2040, relative to 2008 levels. Shipping as an industry is responsible for 2.5% of the current global emissions, and we are keen for North Devon and Torridge to be at the heart of the future clean energy technology industry.

To be successful it requires collaborative partnerships with businesses who are prepared to make a real impact. Appledore has been pivotal to the UK's maritime sector in the past. The proposed centre places the area's proud heritage firmly at the heart of its future!

• What does the 'CLEAN' mean in the Appledore CLEAN Maritime Innovation Centre?

It is all about reducing emissions to maintain a sustainable climate for the planet. It also aims to protect water quality, biodiversity and public health by reducing pollutants that can harm ecosystems, disrupt wildlife and contaminate natural resources including air quality. By fostering cleaner energy practices, we can create a healthier environment and safeguard the world for future generations.

• When will work commence on site?

Works will commence on site in Spring 2025.

• When is the site expected to open?

Works are forecast to complete in 2026 with the Centre opening in late 2026.

• What benefits will the Centre bring to the local community?

The maritime sector has played such an important part of the region's history, and this project is seen as a real opportunity to move Appledore and the wider region into a national maritime future. By creating visible, high-quality activity the centre aims to provide a source of inspiration for young people.  It also aims to stimulate genuine economic benefits for the wider community, the planet and to support businesses to grow, creating both profit and wider social value. 

The project will also work with schools and education providers to build excitement around these new opportunities and to inspire learners to become the next generation of workforce for the industry.

The project will create genuine economic benefits across the community, generating opportunities for future generations.

It will bring high quality, well-paid jobs, inspiring our young people in the process. But it is also about careers for all - building a sustainable economy which is less dependent on seasonal, low-paid roles.

• What sort of businesses will occupy the innovation centre, and what will they be doing?

The Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre will provide spaces to support innovation within the maritime sector, potentially within the following fields:

Clean Propulsion: refers to environmentally friendly technologies and systems used to power vessels while minimising their impact on the environment. Aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and reliance on fossil fuels by utilising innovative methods and sustainable energy sources;

Maritime cybersecurity: protection of maritime systems, networks, and data from cyber threats. This includes safeguarding ships, ports and other maritime infrastructure against cyberattacks to ensure secure operations;

Aquaculture: farming of aquatic organisms, such as seaweed and shellfish.

Autonomous vessels: ships or boats operated without human presence on board. These vessels use advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and sensors to navigate and perform tasks independently.

Environmental intelligence: use of data and technology to address environmental challenges, such as monitoring ecosystems.   

Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) Operation and Maintenance: supporting the operation, servicing and maintenance of wind turbines located in the Celtic Sea

• What facilities will the site/space offer?

The site will offer:

• 6 Workshops of 150m2 with up and over doors and a 4.8m floor to ceiling height.
• Flexible, open place office space.
• Meeting facilities.
• On site parking (including EV charging) and cycle storage.
• 100m Quay Wall.
• A new and improved slipway adjacent to the site, accessed directly from within the Centre.
• High quality data connections.

• How many local jobs do you expect project to generate?

The core objective for the centre is to stimulate local growth and skilled, impactful jobs for our local community - now and into the future. So that means creating jobs both within the centre and supporting a supply chain to develop within the local economy, including looking at future wider opportunities such as in manufacturing to strengthen the local impact.

The main contractor is exploring where the local supply chain and contractors have the expertise to deliver work packages. An event took place on Tuesday 22 October 2024 to begin the process of identifying local trades people to help with the construction of the centre.

• How will you decide on the tenants?  Will there be any special criteria that needs to be met?

The centre has a clear focus on supporting the clean maritime industry. A gateway policy will be published in due course which will provide clear parameters for those businesses who will be able to take up tenancies within the centre.

• How is the project being funded?

The project has been awarded funding from the Levelling Up Fund issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, together with funds from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government's Community Regeneration Partnership and the Devon Devolution Fund from the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority.

• Is the site expected to attract a high volume of traffic/visitors and if so, what provision will there be for parking?

It is not anticipated that the site will generate significant vehicle movements, and it is thought that most traffic activity will be in the forms of cars as opposed to larger vehicles.  Designs do, however, incorporate access for HGVs to maximise innovation opportunities. The site will provide considerable parking provision and all building users will park on site. The site will also provide cycle storage and shower facilities.

• Will the site be open 24/7?

The site will be accessible 24 hours a day, however, any noise overnight will be limited wherever possible.

• Who is going to be building the centre?  Will you be using local contractors?

TMS Limited have been appointed to undertake the Quay Wall works.  They are encouraged to use Local Contractors wherever possible.

The Main Works have yet to be awarded. However, the selection of a Contractor will give thorough consideration to the Contractors ability to deliver through a local Supply Chain.

• Will you be working with local schools, colleges and universities?

If you are a school or education provider please do get in touch to discuss how we might be able to support you to engage with curriculum materials or a presentation on the Blue Economy opportunities for your students.

• Will the site be open to the public?  For example, will there be workshops etc.

It is not anticipated that the site will be open to the public, however, there will be opportunities for the public to visit the site and to see the development of the build through the construction phase.

• How do I get my business involved and find out more?

Please contact Chris Fuller, Torridge District Council's Economic Development Manager, to find out more details about the proposed centre and to see how your business might benefit and be at the front of the queue! Please e-mail on Chris.fuller@torridge.gov.uk

WIDER ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS

• What is the 'Blue' economy?

The sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health. The activities commonly understood to represent the blue economy include maritime shipping, fishing and aquaculture, coastal tourism, renewable energy, water desalination, undersea cabling, seabed extractive industries and deep-sea mining, marine genetic resources, and biotechnology.

• What is FLOW?

Floating offshore wind (FLOW) is a fast-growing renewable energy resource. It refers to wind turbines that are mounted on floating structures, allowing them to generate electricity in deeper waters, where the winds are stronger and where traditional fixed-foundation turbines are not feasible.

The proposal for at least 4.5 GW (that's enough green power for over four million homes) will be approximately sixty miles from Appledore in the Celtic Sea and will not be visible from dry land. The Celtic Sea is one of the best potential sites in Europe for FLOW, which is itself an emerging industry compared to fixed wind, and so offers significant innovation opportunities. The Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre will provide research and development opportunities for the work and to explore further benefits through other "Blue" economic partners.

FLOW will play a significant part in the global fight against climate change. The UK Government wants to see 50GW of total offshore wind capacity by 2030. We want to make sure that as many of those benefits are felt by people in Torridge and North Devon. The Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre will really anchor those activities in the region, stimulating further jobs.