Planning application sought to develop four new science hubs in Oxford, UK
If successful, it is hoped to begin construction in September 2015, with completion scheduled for the summer of 2016
Oxford University is preparing to apply for planning permission for an £11.29m Innovation Accelerator located at the Begbroke Science Park. If successful, these developments will involve the extension of the existing building, increasing the floor area by 2,266m2 across two floors.
Public consultation sessions were held in April as part of an exhibition outlining the details. A planning application is to be submitted in June. If successful, it is hoped to begin construction in September this year, with completion scheduled for the summer of 2016.
The plans follow the granting of a City Deal to Oxfordshire by the government in January 2014, an initiative where a total of £67m was pledged to develop four science hubs in Oxford. The Innovation Accelerator will receive £4.19m from the government and £7m from the University of Oxford.
Begbroke Science Park, bought by the University in 1988, currently aims to bring together academic research with commercial scientific projects through expert training and encouraging collaboration. It also organises outreach programmes and events for schools. Its facilities currently include 150m2 of cleanroom space and high-performance computers.
A further three Oxfordshire incubator centres – Harwell, Culham and the Oxford Bio-escalator in Headington – are also due to receive part of this government funding package.
