Oxford Science Park's growth ambitions continue

Published by

Nicky Godding

Following an architectural competition for a compelling contemporary design in 2018, involving four first-class international practices, and after open consultation with the local community, The Oxford Science Park has filed for detailed planning permission for a major new phase of development on its Plot 16.

Comprising 165,000 sq ft of workspace for offices and labs across two buildings, it will also feature a central raised plaza and wider landscaping and accessibility enhancements.

Construction is planned to commence in Q2 2020 and will represent the largest speculative commercial workspace commitment Oxford has seen in a generation. The buildings should reach practical completion by Q4 2021.

The central raised plaza, and the Plot’s eastern plaza at street level, have been designed to facilitate access to the planned Railway Station that will come with the re-opening of the Cowley Branch line (in 2022 it is hoped). Both Network Rail and Chiltern Railways, amongst others, have been consulted on the plans.

Plot 16 is part of The Oxford Science Park’s ambitious plans for further expansion, attracting additional exciting science & technology occupiers to the Park while providing grow-on space for those already on site. This is in addition to the new SME space, The Bellhouse Building, under construction now for occupation in mid 2020.

Perkins & Will is the architect for Plot 16, which will be built in an exemplary and highly sustainable manner. Other professional design team members include: Hoare Lea, Campbell Reith, Core5 and 3PM.

Piers Scrimshaw-Wright, CEO of The Oxford Science Park, said: "As the UK’s science & technology sectors continue to thrive - as they certainly are in Oxford - it is essential that we create significant capacity for growing businesses on the Park and cater for new entrants, including potential inward investment. By applying for planning permission, we are putting in place a major step in the evolution of the Park. Our plans are a catalyst for the re-opening of the Cowley Branch line, which is an important infrastructure initiative that key Oxford City stakeholders will want to see delivered."

Nicky Godding

Nicky Godding is editor of The Business Magazine. Before her journalism career, she worked mainly in public relations moving into writing when she was invited to launch Retail Watch, a publication covering retail and real estate across Europe. After some years of constant travelling, she tucked away her passport and concentrated on business writing, co-founding a successful regional business magazine. She has interviewed some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound businesses and reported on many science and technology firsts. She reports on the region’s thriving business economy from start-ups, family businesses and multi-million-pound corporations, to the professionals that support their growth and the institutions that educate the next generation of business leaders.