As part of our spotlight on partners within the Plymouth & South Devon Freeport, we spoke to Robert McGuffie, Development Manager at Plymouth City Council, about his role in delivering Beaumont Way, the first workspace within the Langage tax site and what it means for the region’s future.
In simple terms, what role have you played within the Plymouth & South Devon Freeport ecosystem, and what problem are you here to help solve?
Plymouth City Council is the lead partner in the Plymouth & South Devon Freeport and is actively involved in many of the positive interventions being made across the board. The Council has a strategic role that oversees governance, funding, delivery and ensuring the Freeport meets its economic, social and innovation objectives.
My specific role, as lead Development Manager for the Council’s direct development programme has been to deliver (from concept to completion) high quality, sustainable workspace schemes across the Council’s boundaries and land assets. This includes our latest project at Beaumont Way which completed earlier this year and sits within the Freeport’s largest tax site at Langage.
Over the past 15 years or so Plymouth City Council has taken a proactive approach to delivering much needed high quality and sustainable employment space across the City – primarily to address market failure where the private sector have been unable to deliver due to viability constraints, but to also utilise the Council’s land assets to create economic benefit through construction, job creation, skills and learning and providing quality workspace for business.
There has long been a shortage of supply of good quality employment space accommodation due to the challenges of viability. However, against this backdrop of constraints the Council has taken a long term strategic investment approach and played a positive and vital role in contributing to the supply of high quality, speculative accommodation.
Whilst many of the previous schemes delivered sit outside of the Freeport boundaries, Beaumont Way is the first investment into the Langage tax site and benefitted from seed capital to ensure its delivery. Rental income received from the completed developments and the Council’s wider portfolio helps contribute a positive, long term cashflow to Plymouth City Council.
What does impact look like for you locally, in Plymouth, South Devon, or the wider region?
The impact of Freeport has been significant, quite simply, without the seed capital funding secured for the project it would have been unviable to deliver to the quality and sustainability standards that we have successfully achieved (BREEAM Excellent and Net Zero in construction).
Following the year long construction phase we now look forward to implementing the vision and long term legacy of what we have created – namely the economic opportunities and results that will be derived – not only by companies occupying the space and creating on site jobs but the associated spin off benefits to the wider supply chain and economy.
Can you share a tangible example of how your work has already benefited local people, businesses, or the regional economy?
I am pleased to say that the largest unit at Beaumont Way is already under offer to a company that meets the Freeport eligibility criteria. Our first tenant should be taking possession soon – watch this space for further announcements!!! In addition, out of the many speculative developments which I have been involved, I can state that this scheme has received the highest level of enquiries I have received which, I think stands as testament to two main factors: 1) The outstanding quality of what we have created including the sustainability elements (BREEAM Excellent and Net Zero in construction) and 2) Plymouth’s role and position in national defence, together with associated funding has seen a significant increase in demand from defence related companies.
In a nutshell the scheme has already contributed significantly to the local economy through the construction stage with all the jobs and sub contract packages as a result.
It is now anticipated that as the units are let the local and wider geographical area will see additional benefits through long term job creation, upskilling and supply chain requirements.
How does being part of the PASD Freeport ecosystem change what’s possible for your organisation?
As briefly mentioned – for Plymouth City Council this was all about utilising our assets in the best possible way, investing in our City and creating a supply of quality space that can create the platform and opportunities for business to expand and grow – whether that be new companies setting up, inward investment or local growth.
Without the seed funding we would have been unable to have progressed Beaumont Way and Plymouth would have lost the opportunity to benefit from the likely benefits.
What kinds of businesses, talent, or partners are you most excited to work with as the region grows, and why?
Personally, I am excited to see growth across the broad spectrum of businesses that meet the Freeport’s Gateway criteria (defence, marine, advanced manufacturing, space and net zero tech). There are some really exciting businesses within these sectors many of which will have a real opportunity to make a difference, bringing new ideas to the City and creating jobs.
I am also keen to see the continuation and growth of skills and learning linked to education and apprenticeships as companies take up space and create/have demand for more opportunities – including the need for long term well paid jobs and real careers.
Skills and workforce development are critical to long-term success. How are you contributing to building local capability for the future?
As part of our construction phase we embedded skills into the tendering process of appointing a main contractor. I am pleased to say that our contractor went above and beyond the contractual obligations and were instrumental in providing numerous positive activities and interventions (working with a range of partners) – resulting in new apprenticeships, training and practical skills sessions for veterans and school events to encourage young people into the construction industry, which has a vast array of skill set requirements!!!
Post construction we would like to see occupying businesses continue with the positive theme of upskilling – as a result, Plymouth City Council and its wider stakeholders have a continued role to play in supporting businesses and can work with a range of organisations to help facilitate and match skills.
Collaboration is often talked about, but harder to deliver. What does meaningful collaboration look like in practice for you within this ecosystem?
Collaboration is vital to the success of a project like Beaumont Way which is why we include it in the heart of the project from the very beginning. Buy in, commitment, listening, learning and an ability to adapt and be agile is essential through all stages and I think we have achieved that with the multitude of people and organisations involved to date. The successful completion of Beaumont Way stands testament to that and I am delighted to confirm that we have been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2026 RICS Commercial Property Awards.
Going forwards the Council remains committed to working with its partners and stakeholders so that we can continue to support companies within the Freeport family and welcome new ones as they arrive.
What’s one misconception people might have about your sector, or about operating within a Freeport, that you’d like to challenge?
I think the construction sector and that of commercial development is perhaps perceived to be an easy way to make money, that is most certainly not the case. In reality it comprises a significant amount of risk, time, money and many complex issues that all need to be worked through, in careful detail, to secure a positive outcome. Development is not easy and can be fraught with issues and curveballs!!! Fortunately, as a team and with our collaborative approach we have successfully navigated our way through to completion of the construction stage – we now move on to securing tenants and hopefully the long term benefits that will provide.
Looking ahead 5–10 years, what would success for the PASD Freeport region mean to you personally or professionally?
Having built the very first workspace within the Langage Freeport boundaries it would be fantastic if we could see these units fully occupied within year 1 and operating at full capacity over the next few years – that would mean our investment into this speculative scheme would have been worth it. Ultimately, we want to secure a position where we have an available supply of commercial workspace that can accommodate the needs demanded by business, if we can achieve that then we are well on the way to continuing to support the economy through well paid jobs and skills. With further land allocated at Langage perhaps we will see additional phases of development, more growth, more businesses, more jobs and a thriving economy, now that really would demonstrate the need for and benefits of the Freeport!!
If someone was considering locating, investing, or collaborating down here in the South West, what would you want them to understand about this place that they won’t find in a brochure?
Come and speak to us – better still come and have a look at Beaumont Way as it speaks for itself – we can then clearly explain the full suite of benefits/savings available to eligible companies.