The Crown Estate has taken a significant step towards expanding the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire by acquiring a 221-acre parcel of land adjacent to the existing campus, which is home to various notable organizations including vaccine manufacturer Moderna and the UK Space Agency.
The newly acquired site, known as Harwell East, is designated for the potential construction of approximately 4.5 million square feet of office, laboratory, and manufacturing spaces, alongside plans for up to 400 new residential units. Currently, the site is primarily farmland.
Over the past two years, more than 50 organizations have established a presence at the Harwell hub, highlighting its growing importance in the scientific community. The Crown Estate recognizes a pressing need for additional space to accommodate early-stage businesses in regions like Oxford, which has been a challenge for these companies to stay and grow in the UK.
To address this issue, the Crown Estate is pursuing planning permissions to develop the area, aiming to create specialized facilities that can support the burgeoning demand for laboratory and advanced manufacturing spaces.
Dan Labbad, chief executive of the Crown Estate, emphasized the critical role of the UK”s science, innovation, and technology sectors, stating, “The UK”s science, innovation and technology community is pushing the boundaries of progress in areas from AI (artificial intelligence) to advanced manufacturing. But they need the specialized lab facilities and housing to realize potential.”
He added that the ambition behind Harwell East is to provide the necessary environment for groundbreaking scientific work, thereby fostering growth and benefiting the nation as a whole.
Science Minister Lord Vallance remarked on the project”s significance, noting that the development of Harwell East could enable innovative businesses and entrepreneurs in the area to expand their capabilities and address significant contemporary challenges. He stated, “The vast economic potential of this site underlines precisely why we are determined to fully unlock the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor, as an engine for nationwide growth.”
The Crown Estate has committed to investing up to £1.5 billion in the UK”s science, technology, and innovation sectors over a 15-year period. Although it operates as an independent business, the Crown Estate ultimately belongs to the reigning monarch and manages a portfolio valued at around £15 billion across various properties, including key locations in London.
Profits generated by the Crown Estate are partially utilized to support the financial activities of the monarchy.
