Babcock International Group is taking a significant stride forward in its expansion plans by developing an Integrated Logistics Hub and Advanced Manufacturing Base at Sherford, a key site within the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport. South Hams District Council, a founding partner of the Freeport, has acquired an 18.8-acre site from the Sherford Consortium to facilitate this growth.
The new facility, planned to include a 30,000 sq ft state-of-the-art building, will support non-dockside work and enhance operational capacity at Devonport. Its strategic location in Sherford, with excellent access to the A38, marks Babcock as the first major employer to establish premises in the new town.
This development aligns directly with South Hams District Council’s priorities of attracting inward investment, stimulating business growth, and creating high-quality and high-skilled job opportunities for the region.
Cllr John Birch, Executive Member for Economic Development, Commercial Strategy, and Governance, emphasised that “by buying this land, we can help facilitate the expansion of Babcock and directly influence the provision of employment within the South Hams. Supporting high-value engineering and manufacturing businesses is important for a thriving and resilient economy”
Richard May, CEO of PASD Freeport, added that “Babcock’s announcement is a major vote of confidence in our region. It’s the kind of high-impact investment the Freeport was designed to unlock to create quality jobs, new opportunities, and real momentum for our industrial growth”
John Gane, site managing director at Babcock’s Devonport facility, said: “As part of the ‘defence dividend’, Babcock is proud to be expanding into Sherford with the support of SHDC. Establishing an integrated logistic hub and advanced manufacturing base marks a significant milestone in not only boosting local job creation, driving business growth and investment across the region, but in delivering greater operational efficiency and capacity at our Devonport site.”