COUNCIL chiefs have confirmed that the long-awaited Science Park project has been put on hold while they await a multi-million funding decision from the Government.

And concerns have been voiced that the need for further cuts in spending in the future could see the scheme delayed for "up to six years".

Devon County Council has revealed that "all procedures" for the scheme that needed to be completed in order for work to begin are in place — but concerns over funding have halted progress. A total of £12 million in Government funding is currently being withheld.

The announcement comes as the county council voted through cuts of more than £6 million, more than half of which is from the children's and young persons' service budget.

The Science Park is a 25-acre research and innovation park proposed for a site east of the M5, near junction 29 at Redhayes.

More than 2,000 jobs are expected to be to be provided by the scheme, and hopes are high it will attract further businesses to the area with the creation of a further 6,000 highly skilled jobs.

A planning application for the park was approved in March on behalf of the Science Park Partnership, which includes the county council, Exeter City Council, East Devon District Council, the Met Office and the University of Exeter — and the detailed consent for the highway and utility infrastructure site was granted in June 2010.

Phase one is due to include a hotel and conference facility, a science park centre, and office space for let, and work had been due to start this summer.

But, in an email seen by the Echo, the county council's chief engineer confirmed that the scheme — along with major improvements to Junction 29 of the M5 — is "currently paused".

And Chris McCarthy, the council's executive director of environment, economy and culture, wrote in a report released this week: "This scheme, to provide access to the east of Exeter developments, and particularly to revise M5 junction 29 is at the final full approval major scheme bid stage, awaiting Government funding approval.

"The final major scheme bid was submitted to the Government in March 2010, but they were not able to process it before the election.

"The county council now has all the powers necessary to construct the scheme, and already has returned tenders. The Government's decision to hold any decisions pending a spending review is therefore disappointing, as it is delaying a start on site for this crucial project.

"We believe that the scheme should eventually achieve approval.

"It should be noted that although the scheme is fundamental for the East of Exeter development as a whole, the delay in this project does not immediately threaten progress with Cranbrook and Skypark."

The county council confirmed during a cabinet meeting yesterday that it "remains committed" to the scheme.

But Councillor Richard Westlake, who represents Newtown and Polsloe on the county council, said: "The delay is a blow, and the need for further cuts in future years could lead to this scheme being delayed for four, maybe five or six, years."

And Tim Jones, head of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, said that accepting a delay was not the way forward.

He said: "We now need radical solutions to this problem. This project is worth £1 billion of investment to Devon, and we cannot afford delay.

"We are talking to the key agencies involved to see how far we can proceed with the infrastructure without spending any money.

"It is unthinkable that this could be delayed for six years. I understand that we are in a climate of austerity, but we need to ensure the delivery of the scheme for the future of the region."

A spokesman for the Treasury said its comprehensive spending review was scheduled to be conducted during autumn this year.

Meanwhile, the county council has also confirmed that its plans for "high quality" public transport in Exeter are being reviewed.

The council had intended to submit its plans for the scheme, and apply for funding, later this year.

It wants to introduce a "tram-like, optically-guided" transport system to operate on a route from the new town of Cranbrook to Marsh Barton Industrial Estate.

It would also extend to St David's Station and the Sowton park and ride.

But a council spokesman said: "Given the likely reductions in overall transport capital budgets, it is proposed that the scope of the scheme be reviewed to ensure that the eventual proposals are as cost effective as possible."

Among the package of cuts agreed by the county council yesterday was £160,000 from the budget for free school transport, £600,000 from the careers advice service and £230,000 from the road safety budget.

Cuts to the safety budget were criticised by Liberal Democrat councillor Gordon Hook, who represents Newton Abbot South.

He said: "I am appalled that the road safety grant is being cut. We have a record to be proud of on safety, and to see that under threat is totally wrong."

Among the schemes affected are the budget for safety work on the A377 and safety measures linked to school transport.

The council has already revealed that up to 60 posts could be lost in the children's services department because of the budget cuts.

Staff union Unison said it was "devastated" by the news and feared that more cuts and job losses were on the way.

The cuts will affect services for young people such as substance abuse and problems in school, as well as initiatives such as cutting the number of teenage pregnancies.

In her report to councillors the county's director of finance, Mary Davis, concluded: "It is going to be a challenging year."