A significant milestone has been reached in the development of a new innovation destination in West Oxfordshire, with outline planning permission granted by West Oxfordshire District Council for the redevelopment and expansion of what will be known as Enstone Estate.
The 310-acre site, owned by Leven Holdings Limited, has been conceived as a country estate for innovators, with the ambition to become a new destination for British innovation. With an estimated gross development value of circa £210 million, the development will provide up to 692,174 sq ft of flexible employment floorspace, alongside landscaping, drainage and infrastructure improvements.
A distinctive setting for innovation
Located next to Soho Farmhouse and the site of the approved Mullin Automotive Museum, Enstone Estate builds on the area’s established strengths in motorsport, aviation and engineering. The vision is to bring together advanced manufacturing, future mobility, creative, film and digital industries, agri-tech, environmental technologies and research and development within a single, connected environment.
The estate is intended to create opportunities for businesses at every stage of growth, from incubator studios and workshops through to R&D facilities, advanced manufacturing accommodation and bespoke global headquarters.
Phase 1 and delivery timeline
The redevelopment will be delivered in phases. Phase 1 will represent a construction investment of circa £35 million and provide 132,934 sq ft of new employment accommodation. Construction is currently targeted to begin in early 2027.
Designed by Spratley and Partners, the development will emphasise high-quality architecture, modern infrastructure and environmental performance. The estate is planned as a fossil-fuel-free, all-electric development incorporating energy-efficient buildings, rooftop solar photovoltaics and low-carbon heating and cooling, targeting a 37% site-wide reduction in regulated carbon emissions compared with the Part L 2021 notional building. Applicable buildings will target BREEAM Excellent, and the development includes a target of more than 10% Biodiversity Net Gain.
Local jobs and community investment
At full operation, the development is expected to support around 1,500 jobs on site, with approximately 850 expected to be held by West Oxfordshire residents. The Community Employment Plan includes commitments to local recruitment, apprenticeships, training, education partnerships and engagement with SMEs and local supply chains.
Chris Reeve, client representative at Enstone Estate, said: “Britain has an extraordinary depth of talent, ingenuity and creativity, from engineering and advanced manufacturing to technology, design and the creative industries. Our ambition is to create a country estate for innovators: a new destination for British innovation, welcoming ambitious businesses from around the world and giving them the space, infrastructure and connections to grow.
“We believe there is a real opportunity to bring together businesses from different but increasingly connected industries, creating the conditions for new ideas, collaboration and growth. From incubator space to global headquarters, we want Enstone to be somewhere businesses can establish themselves, grow and remain for the long term.”
To coincide with the planning milestone, the Enstone Estate brand identity, website and social media channels have launched. Find out more at www.enstone.estate.
Photo credit: Enstone Estate/WalkTheRoom
