Next Oxford Technology Park development phase granted planning permission

By Sam Pither

25 January 2023

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The Business Magazine article image for: Next Oxford Technology Park development phase granted planning permission

Render of the plans, created by dji camera

The next phase of development at Oxford Technology Park is set to get underway having been granted planning permission by Cherwell District Council.

The plans will see a further three hybrid buildings built on the park, providing lab-space for the county’s life science sector.

Councillor Barry Wood, Leader of Cherwell District Council, said: “I am a very strong advocate of Oxford Technology Park. Innovation in science and technology and university spin-out investment frequently happens in clusters. Oxford Technology Park to the economic geography of the likes of Kidlington, Begbroke and Yarton in the Cherwell District is very important.”

Angus Bates, Developer and Director of Oxtec, said: “Despite the prevailing economic headwinds, we continue to see strong demand for space at Oxford Technology Park from a broad range of life science occupiers including gene therapy, quantum computing and AI businesses.

“Following on from our most recent letting to Oxford Ionics, we have interest in units ranging from 7500 sq ft at our Innovation Quarter to 40,000 sq ft in our larger, hybrid buildings. Having secured planning consent for the next phase of our development is crucial for us to continue to attract these high-value, fast-growing businesses to Oxford Technology Park with all the downstream benefits this brings to the local economy.”

This will be the fourth phase of construction at the 20-acre park, the most recent being a 49,000 square foot headquarters facility for The Native Antigen Company, Building One: the 34,125 square foot lab-enabled office building, and a hotel and restaurant featuring 101 beds, collectively known as the innovation quarter.

The new hybrid buildings will offer modern office and advanced R&D laboratory space, ranging from 17,000 to 50,000 square feet, with the specific proportions of each varying according to the needs of the occupier. Completion is expected by the end of this year.

Angus added: “We don’t expect these buildings to be on the market for long. This particular style of state of the art office and advanced R&D laboratory commercial unit, which we first brought to the marketplace for The Native Antigen Company, has proven to be incredibly popular and generating a lot of interest among life science occupiers.

“We would encourage interested parties to get in touch and book a viewing.”

Featured image: Render of the plans, created by dji camera.

By Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset.

A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise.

Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.