Insights

Introducing our new colleagues
December is typically a time to reflect on the past year, and whilst 2020 has been very challenging for everyone, we are pleased to have welcomed three new members to our KOR team.

Supporting young people in Exeter
KOR Communications has been pleased to donate funds to the Ted Wragg Trust’s initiative to provide a library of electronic devices for hundreds of primary school children in Exeter who have not had access to online learning from home.

NFU Mutual joins Devon YFC campaign to support future rural business leaders
Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual is supporting the next generation of rural business leaders as it joins Devon Young Farmers Clubs for a new awareness campaign.

133-unit co-living project for Watkin Jones Group approved by Exeter City Council
The Watkin Jones Group has been granted planning permission by Exeter City Council for a 133-unit co-living development in the city centre on the site of a former ambulance station.

Foreman Mick retires after half a century with the Hadlow Estate
After a career spanning five decades and mirroring that of his late grandfather, Hadlow Estate Foreman Mick Cheesman is hanging up his tools for the final time.

Luxury show home provides a comfortable investment for Devon couple
Having taken voluntary redundancy after a 37-year career in banking, Mike Richards from Tavistock in Devon was on the lookout for a sound investment opportunity and, scrolling through Facebook one day, he discovered Cavanna Homes’ show home leaseback scheme.

Exeter Science Park marks another milestone with the “topping out” of a new net-zero carbon building
A topping-out ceremony at the Ada Lovelace Building on Exeter Science Park has marked another significant milestone in the development of the South West’s leading centre for science, technology, engineering maths and medical (STEMM) businesses.

Students study forest and plant diversity at the Englefield Estate
A-Level Biology students from Reading Blue Coat School have carried out their fieldwork project on the Englefield Estate, after their residential field course was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Consultation hailed as ‘best practice’ as plans for 90 homes on sensitive cliff-top site approved
When Torbay Planning Committee voted unanimously to approve a 90 home scheme on a sensitive cliff-top site in Torquay, the “best practice” community consultation was highlighted as the reason for only a very modest number of objections.

Sending love from De Beauvoir across the globe
De Beauvoir resident 91-year-old Joan Miller has been featured on billboards, hoardings and bus shelters across the globe alongside her daughter Alison Hall, as part of an international campaign to share love and support.

How did the GESP vision crumble?
After more than four years, it looks as if the vision for a Greater Exeter Strategic Plan is dead in the water because at least one of the four partner councils involved has pulled the plug.

Local craftsmen revive and restore historic listed buildings on the Hadlow Estate
Expert local craftsmen are keeping tradition alive in Kent as they revive and restore the iconic red Kent peg tiles which adorn several of the listed buildings on the Hadlow Estate.

Multi-million-pound funding awarded for new building at Exeter Science Park
Exeter Science Park has been awarded £5 million from the Government’s national ‘Getting Building’ fund to develop its ‘Grow-out Building’ for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in science, technology, engineering, maths and medical (STEMM) sectors.

Unique photography project reflects on importance of open spaces
As lockdown restrictions are eased, the importance of having access to open spaces has never been more apparent, and now a unique photography project is aiming to tap into people’s new or long-held associations with the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths.

Moving from Warwickshire to the Westcountry in lockdown
When the Covid-19 lockdown was announced in March, retired lawyer Jan Lewis thought that the move to her dream home in Devon was turning to dust.

80th anniversary commemorations at WW2 observation post in East Devon as restoration works continue
A ceremony has been held to mark the 80th anniversary of the opening of an RAF observation post on the East Devon coast, which played a major role in World War Two weapons testing and training.

Cavanna Homes Site Manager Scoops Top Regional Award For Best-Run Housing Development In Britain
Cavanna Homes is celebrating the success of one of its Site Managers who have been awarded the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Pride in the Job Award which recognises extraordinary talent in the industry.

Carrot cakes and video updates keep horses and owners happy during Covid lockdown
From carrot birthday cakes to David Attenborough style video updates, staff at the Bank Farm Livery Stables in Tudeley, Kent, have been going the extra mile for the horses in their care – and their owners – during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Beer residents show the true meaning of community spirit during Covid-19 pandemic
As coronavirus changes life as we know it, residents in the East Devon village of Beer have been proving how their unbreakable community spirit is helping them to cope with the crisis.

Exeter sisters stream their own children’s church services from home during Covid-19 pandemic
Four young sisters from Exeter are streaming their own Children’s Liturgy services on the internet while their local church is closed during the coronavirus crisis.

Holidaying bees help the fruit orchards bloom at Hadlow Estate
More than 680,000 bees are on a unique spring break at the Hadlow Estate in Kent to help it get the very best from its fruit orchards.

Two key appointments to the Clinton Devon Estates management team
Clinton Devon Estates has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of Ben Rudkin as Chief of Staff and Sam Briant-Evans as Farms Manager of the Clinton Devon Farms Partnership.

Work begins on new net zero carbon building at Exeter Science Park
Work on the new Ada Lovelace Building at Exeter Science Park has begun – 20,000 square foot speculative office and laboratory space.

New board appointments cement Cavanna Group’s future
The Cavanna Group has announced three new appointments to its Board of Directors, completing a ten year succession plan for the family business which was established in 1923 in Torquay.

Fragrance Group appoints Midas to construct two new Devon hotels
The signing of contracts to build two new hotels in Paignton marks the latest stage in the Fragrance Group’s multi-million-pound investment in Torbay. The contracts, signed with Midas Construction, are to develop the sites of the former Park Hotel and Lighthouse club.

Lord Clinton unveils plaque in North Devon forest to mark Forestry Commission centenary
Lord Clinton has unveiled a plaque to mark 100 years since the formation of the Forestry Commission, in the same North Devon woodland his great grandfather planted the first Forestry Commission tree in 1919.

Hundreds of youngsters plant 1,300 new trees in Estate woodland
Hundreds of young people teamed up with the Englefield Estate to plant more than 1,000 new trees, helping tackle climate change and creating fresh habitats for wildlife.

Memorial waymarkers honour Devon village’s First World War heroes
Men whose names are inscribed on a memorial cross in Otterton are again being honoured as each has his name on one of 16 new timber memorial waymarkers being put in place across the parish.

Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes collects a top honour in prestigious national industry awards
The 2019 Housebuilder Awards saw Cavanna Homes named Medium Housebuilder of the Year, recognising the firm’s strong commitment to “building brilliance”.

“No Cold Callers” scheme launched to combat rural crime and protect South West farmers
Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon’s Trading Standards Service and leading rural insurer NFU Mutual have joined forces to launch a campaign to tackle “cold calling” criminals at farms across the region.

Bumper summer for rare butterflies on the Englefield Estate
Rare butterflies have enjoyed a bumper summer on the Hampshire, West Berkshire border following habitat improvement work by the Englefield Estate’s forestry team.

Organic milk vending machine bridges gap between cows and consumers
Clinton Dairy has set up a 24/7 milk vending machine at Otterton Mill visitor centre, less than 2km away, in an effort to reduce food miles, waste, and connect the farm with the local community.

Luxurious new homes unveiled at Cavanna @ Wolborough Hill
A ribbon cutting ceremony has marked the opening of Cavanna Homes’ most prestigious development to date, Cavanna @ Wolborough Hill in Newton Abbot.

Exeter Science Park new home for growing veterinary pathology firm
Leading UK veterinary pathology firm, The Veterinary Pathology Group (VPG), is moving to Exeter Science Park following recent company growth.

Global ticketing app moves to new office as it doubles in size
Global mobile ticketing platform DICE has more than doubled its team at its head office in De Beauvoir Block in Hackney and is moving to new office space next door.

Westcountry homebuilder keeping the dying art of stonemasonry alive
Cavanna Homes is investing in the skills of an artisan bricklayer to help define the character of its homes and developments, in turn, helping to keep the ancient craft of stonemasonry alive.

River Otter “bird wardens” praised for three decades of rare birdlife conservation
A Devon landowner has praised a husband and wife for their dedication as River Otter bird wardens for almost 30 years and the role they’ve played in reviving a rare species of bird.

Third generation farmers turn their hand to rearing goats
With goat meat tipped as a future food trend, third generation farmers James and Lucy Hewison are diversifying into rearing their very first herd of Boer goats at their tenant farm on the Englefield Estate in Berkshire.

Devon business LittlePod reveals secret of export success ahead of Brexit
The owner of Queen’s Award-winning, Devon-based “LittlePod” which exports its real vanilla products worldwide, has described the importance to small businesses of firm foundations and future proofing, especially with the uncertainty of Brexit.

Volunteers join forces to plant a ‘bat corridor’ in Beer
Volunteers from across East Devon have joined forces to plant a hedge to create a natural “bat corridor” to help boost populations of rare bats near Beer.

Global healthcare software provider expands into new offices at Exeter Science Park
Global life sciences and healthcare software company, Seedata, has more than doubled its workforce at Exeter Science Park and is moving into bigger office space on the site.

Show home opening marks a new community of homes in East Devon
Lord Clinton performed a ribbon-cutting to mark the official opening of Cavanna Homes’ new show home at Alfred’s Gate in the East Devon village of Newton Poppleford, near Sidmouth.

Dartmoor farmers celebrate supermarket deal with Morrisons
A consortium of Dartmoor farmers has signed its first major supermarket deal with Morrisons to stock Dartmoor lamb in 10 of its flagship South West stores.

New homes and cycle path coming to Dawlish from local homebuilder
A turf cutting ceremony has marked the start of building work at Cavanna Homes’ latest development, Barley Meadow in Dawlish, which will be connected to the town centre with a new cycle path being funded by the homebuilder.

Horse riding in harmony with the heaths
Devon horse riders have joined forces with conservationists to encourage fellow equestrians to be more aware of nature, wildlife and people when they visit one of Britain’s rare, protected lowland heathlands near Exeter.

Exeter firm teams up with the Impact Lab to help combat climate change
An Exeter start-up company is working with regional and national experts on a project aiming to help cut CO2 emissions in cities across the world.

NFU Mutual supports alpaca farmers’ luxury disabled-friendly holiday business venture
Two alpaca farmers from Ilfracombe have transformed a disused, centuries-old threshing barn into luxury, disabled-friendly holiday accommodation.

Solar park generates enough energy to power 1,522 years of television
In little over three years, Exmouth’s Liverton Solar Park has generated a massive 20 million kilowatt hours of electricity – enough energy for 1,522 years of television.

Cornwall’s Young Farmers rally to recruit 1000 members by 2020
Hundreds of young farmers in Cornwall braved the first rain of the summer for their annual County Rally.

Health benefits of East Devon Pebblebed Heaths are worth hundreds of thousands
An Exeter University research project exploring the links between environment and health and wellbeing has revealed that the economic value of the Heaths…

Restoration of ancient Woodbury Castle hill fort nears completion
Restoration work is about to begin at a 2,500-year-old Iron Age hill fort in East Devon.

Local students name Exeter Science Park buildings after scientists
Exeter Science Park has celebrated another key milestone with a topping out ceremony at its new buildings, named by local students after three of history’s most inspirational scientists.

Cavanna Homes retains top 5 Star industry award for sixth year running
Of the 20 homebuilders nationally who have been awarded the five star award this year, only six, including Cavanna Homes, have retained the highest accolade for six years.

Estate helping in fight to save Britain’s smallest rodent
Clinton Devon Estates have been working with the Devon Mammal Group to train volunteers to survey for harvest mice.

Young artists convert construction site perimeter
As part of the fledgling Open Art initiative, 25 largescale paintings, based on the theme ‘love and loss’ are being displayed on construction hoarding boards surrounding the Kingsland Road development.

Devon landowner wins Landscape Institute award
A major Devon landowner has been presented with the prestigious Client of the Year Award at this year’s Landscape Institute Awards, at a ceremony hosted by bestselling author Bill Bryson.

Successful solar farm powering ahead
Exmouth’s Liverton Solar Park is producing enough electricity to power more than 1,200 homes.

New Managing Director for Cavanna Homes
The largest South West-based independent homebuilder, Cavanna Homes, has appointed Keith Miller as its Managing Director to lead the company to its 100th anniversary and beyond.

Exeter’s economy attracting international trade opportunities
More than 30 Exeter firms joined representatives from the Department of International Trade (DIT) and Exeter City Council to discuss the potential for new markets post-Brexit.

MP Meg Hillier opens Hackney’s new hub for creatives
MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch Meg Hillier has unveiled a commemorative plaque at the official opening of Hackney’s new creative business hub, the De Beauvoir Block.

Opportunity to bid for East Devon farm tenancy for the first time in 20 years
Tenders are being invited from entrepreneurial farmers interested in a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become a tenant farmer on the spectacular East Devon Jurassic Coast.

Grand designs contest to find best bijou bat box
A specialist conservation architecture firm is challenging fledgling designers to create a bijou bat box suitable for a historic or listed building.

Latter-day architects move in to former building of sculptor Harry Hems
In a fortuitous turn of fate, a latter-day team of architects and urban designers decided to move into an Exeter city centre building originally occupied by one of their industry forefathers, for the same reason.

Exeter software company aims to disrupt holiday home rentals industry
A disruptive software company which aims to revolutionise the holiday homes rentals industry is the latest fast-growth, high tech firm to move into Exeter Science Park Centre.

Jigsaw creators choose Exeter grid reference over London postcode
The rising demand for Map Marketing’s handiwork both on home soil and across the Atlantic, has played a big part in the company’s decision to relocate its head office from London to Exeter.

FAB Project interconnector planning approval welcomed
The FAB Project will link the national electricity grids of Britain and France with the aim of increasing energy security, cutting consumers’ bills, and enabling greater use of greener, low-carbon electricity.

Estate transformed into classroom
For many years, Englefield Estate has served as an outdoor classroom to inspire countless school children about what it takes to run a modern rural estate.

Options for future of Lower Otter Estuary to go on show
Members of the public are being given the chance to learn more about proposals for the future shape of the Lower Otter Estuary.

Fourth generation joining family home builders
More than 90 years after Philip Cavanna started the homebuilding business which bears his name, members of the Cavanna family are still helping to shape the company’s future.

Site Manager appointed to manage one of Europe’s rarest landscapes
Clinton Devon Estates has appointed Kim Strawbridge as Site Manager of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths (EDPH)

Serving the South West since 1880
For almost 140-years, the sixth-generation family business Halse South West, has been supplying farm machinery to Westcountry farmers.

Halse South West celebrate historic relocation
Halse South West has celebrated the opening of its new headquarters after a historic move from the company’s former base in Honiton town centre which was its home for 75 years.

Kier to start construction on bespoke office space at Exeter Science Park
Kier Construction has been awarded the contract to develop two new ‘grow-on’ buildings at Exeter Science Park.

Exeter Science Park appoints CEO
The Board of Exeter Science Park has announced the appointment of Dr Sally Basker as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr Basker will take up the new role on 3rd April.

Insurance software specialist chooses Exeter for UK headquarters
Insurance industry software specialist, BAAC, is opening a new office in Exeter, following the Managing Director’s relocation from South Africa.

Market Quarter honours Devon town’s history
Nestling in the heart of the beautiful North Devon countryside, Holsworthy has hosted markets which have drawn people to the town for hundreds of years.

Devon and Cornwall Police join forces with the SWCSC
The SWCSC and the Force prepare to hold a joint cyber-security conference, bringing together experienced and qualified cyber security experts.

Architects join RIBA Conservation Register
Two architects at the LHC Architecture + Urbanism studio in Exeter have joined the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Conservation Register.

Pharmaceutical software provider moves
A pharmaceutical software provider for the NHS has relocated to the Exeter Science Park Centre following considerable business growth.

Identical twins ditch the London life for Exeter
South west born identical twins Justin and Robbie Holt have ditched their London lifestyles and moved back to Exeter.

National accreditation for South West architects
Raising the profile of one of the region’s top conservation practices

East Devon welcomes FAB link consultation
The FAB project aims to provide a way of transmitting reliable and predictable low-carbon electricity to both the UK and France.

Stepping-in to support the launch of 24 new careers
This morning, on the site of the tallest building in Plymouth and over a cup of builder’s tea and a bacon roll, the KOR team co-ordinated the launch of Step in Step up – a 12 month project to fast-track 24 “career changers” into key posts in the South West’s booming construction industry.

Restoration of historic Exeter alms houses reaches milestone
The future of 44 historic alms houses in the centre of Exeter is secured as a multi-million pound restoration project reaches the halfway point.