A portal of possibilities – Appledore Maritime Innovation Centre
The Levelling Up Fund is backing innovation in the South West, attracting investment to the region and helping the local economy grow.
The funds will create the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre in Torridge. This Innovation Centre will be a global-leading research and development space for next-generation maritime initiatives, collaborating with local universities and companies to attract investment, leading to the creation of about 100 skilled jobs. The goal is to make the region a top global destination for R&D in clean propulsion, maritime innovation and sustainable opportunities.
Opening in 2026, the centre will feature cutting-edge research and industry partnerships from the Centre for Future Clean Mobility (CFCM, University of Exeter) and the University of Plymouth offshore renewable and maritime autonomy specialisms. It will include offices and flexible workshops to foster business innovation from clean propulsion to aquaculture, environmental intelligence to maritime cyber security.
The centre will establish Torridge and North Devon’s first university research centre, creating a global-leading innovation centre. It will feature a presence from the University of Exeter, the University of Plymouth, private sector businesses, and is sited next to the Harland & Wolff shipyard and within the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
It will:
- stimulate 93 direct, high-skilled FTE jobs worth £62 million in regional economic impact.
- strengthen the Level 3 to 6 maritime skills pipeline from Petroc College.
Further information can be found on the Torridge District Council website.