IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Long Road, PAIGNTON, TQ4 7BL

Facing onto Long Road, the gatehouse remains standing, though in derelict condition. The faded sign on the roof can just be made out, and reads: 'Bookham Technology'. All that remains of the buildings that used to occupy the site are piles of rubble, which have been left largely untouched since demolition, over two years ago. More information: Image

A view of the South West Energy Centre from a new roundabout in the development area.

Factory site on Brixham Road, Paignton. Currently owned by Bookham Technology. Eelectronic components have been manufactured on this site for around 50 years.

The Passiv Haus, on the right of the picture is clearly related to the South West Energy Centre on the left. Presumably it is designed to the highest standards of energy conservation as an example. The name must refer to relevant green energy reference points elsewhere. I am not sure what the foreground design is related to except that for the area under development nearby. Also see Image]

The South West Energy Centre is run by South Devon College and is described as :"The Energy Centre South West is part of South Devon College and provides specialist training in renewable energy and green technology techniques". See http://www.southwestenergycentre.co.uk/ for further information. This photo was taken from the end of the cycle path on the other side of the main road. The building's roof is distinctive. At present the building stands out as it is part of a new area of development next to the old micro electronics factory which has long since been re-located to another part of the world, leaving its 3000 plus employees to find work somewhere else. Some parts of the derelict site can be seen in the foreground of this picture. The Energy Centre is an interesting development for the College which is nearby.

The South West Energy Centre's building is of a pleasing modern design. Also see Image]

Also shown at http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SX8758?centi=SX876584 , this is one of the few surviving structures from the former electronic site, later used as Waddeton Industrial Estate. Nothing has changed since those other photos were taken

The Centre aims to help to fuel an economic recovery in Torbay and South Devon, driving demand and ensuring manufacturers, suppliers and installers have the skilled workforce needed, directly leading to the creation of many private sector jobs. (Information from southwestenergycentre.co.uk website, which is no longer online). On the far right is the Passivhaus - built to showcase dramatically reduced need for space heating and cooling.

Three minutes after a very new roundabout I arrived at this slightly more seasoned one. There is still a massive amount of rubbish to be dealt with on the left. Ahead are the traffic lights at the A3022.

The roof of the South West Energy Centre consists of some type of plant cover, an increasing style, probably better for the environment than synthetic alternatives. Also see Image]