The university is now looking for a new contractor for the research centre after failing to find a way to work with Wates on a revised £30m budget.

Wates was awarded the contract last year and has already carried-out some enabling works on the site.

Hugh McCann, director of estate development at the university, told the Exeter Express and Echo: “We have done all we can to work in partnership with Wates and despite the fact we’ve been unable to reach an agreement this time, we are parting on very good terms.”

Gary Campbell-Dykes, business unit director for Wates Construction, Southern Home Counties, said: “We have worked closely with the University of Exeter to resolve the outstanding issues however, despite the best efforts of everyone concerned, this wasn’t possible. We look forward to working with the university again in the future.”