Detailed designs for three new, prestigious laboratory and office buildings which total 458,100 sq ft (42,549 sq m) and will be built as phase 2 of Oxford North, the new £700 million life sciences innovation district, have been resolved to be approved by Oxford City Council’s planning committee.
Oxford North will deliver one million sq ft (92,903 sq m) of laboratory and workspaces, 480 new homes, hotel, nursery, cafes, bars, three public parks and infrastructure.
With outline planning permission for Oxford North’s masterplan and detailed planning permission for phase 1a granted in March 2021, Oxford North Ventures, the joint venture company of Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Cadillac Fairview and Stanhope, submitted the applications for phase 2’s reserved matters (RMAs).
Phase 1a will comprise the Red Hall which will deliver 43,500 sq ft (4,041 sq m) of co-working spaces, meeting and workspaces for science and innovation starts-ups and SMEs along with cafe-bar, retail units and community space, and Building 1 and 2 lab buildings which will total 115,000 sq ft (10,683 sq m). The market square and central landscape will form the new district’s community and cultural centre. Phase 1a is to target practical completion in Q1 2025.
Phase 2’s Plots A, B & C RMAs were submitted following pre-application discussions, an Oxford Design Review Panel workshop and a four-week public consultation.
The applications were for the three laboratory buildings’ appearance, layouts and low carbon operation initiatives, alongside enhancements to the central and building-specific landscaping.
- Plot A has been designed by Fletcher Priest Architects, the project’s masterplanners, and is a flexible, four floor laboratory and office building with dual frontage to the A40 and central landscaping which will total 117,300 sq ft (10,897 sq m).
- Plot B has been designed by Wilkinson Eyre and is a five floor global HQ laboratory and office building and will have its frontage on the A40. The building will total 177,900 sq ft (16,527 sq m).
- Plot C has been designed by Gort Scott and is a five storey global HQ laboratory and office building which will sit inside the central area and opposite the Red Hall and market square. It will total 162,900 sq ft (15,133 sq m).
All three buildings will target BREEAM Excellent certification and have 100% electric heating and cooling, efficient lighting, high levels of fabric performance and optimised ventilation to incorporate heat recovery and solar PV technology. This will achieve a minimum 40% reduction in carbon emissions compared with 2021 Building Regulations.
Oxford North has continued to provide a significant stimulus for the local economy and employment market to create opportunities for local people. Since infrastructure enabling works started in August 2021, 448 jobs have been created of which 22% of people live in Oxfordshire. The project has also enabled eight new apprenticeships.
“We are creating a life-enhancing setting for workers, residents and visitors which invites discovery, supports community and enhances well-being.
“We have been working hard to ensure that phase 2 provides much-needed advanced R&D lab and office buildings which have been purposefully designed for future life sciences occupiers giving them the opportunity to customise the fit-out to their requirements and providing spaces for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to continuing to create construction jobs and vital new science and innovation space for Oxford.” – David Camp, chief Executive Officer
Read the full article on Oxford North’s Website here.
