An environmentally friendly business park has opened in Cornwall in England. The South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) says it is “one of the most environmentally advanced business parks in the UK”.

The 19 business units are specially designed to minimise energy use. They are heated by a geothermal system that harnesses the natural energy of the earth. There is also a rainwater recovery system and other features to minimise impact on the surrounding environment.

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Tolvaddon Energy Park has been built on a brown-field site near Camborne, once the centre of Cornwall’s mining industry.

“We are targeting companies in the environmental technology and high-tech sector in the hope of creating a cluster of like-minded businesses,” said Geoffrey Wilkinson, the RDA’s chief executive.

The RDA and the Objective One European funding programme have given the development Ł4m. The Objective One project will give Ł310m to the development of Cornwall’s economy between this year and 2006. The money must be match funded through both public and private sectors.

Half the units are under offer from prospective tenants; and two companies have signed contracts – Philip Desmonde, environmental engineers and ActNow, a broadband company.

A recent Ernst & Young report on inward investment said the South West had performed particularly badly in 2001. However, Jason Clark, communications consultant for the RDA, said the agency has had 95% of its portfolio let between Janary and March this year.

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