The Crown Estate has finalized the acquisition of a significant plot of land adjacent to the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. This move is part of a broader initiative to invest £1.5 billion into the science sector.
The newly acquired Harwell East site spans 221 acres and is intended for the development of approximately 4.5 million square feet dedicated to offices, laboratories, and manufacturing facilities, alongside the construction of up to 400 new homes. Currently, this area is utilized as farmland.
Located next to the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, which hosts organizations such as the vaccine manufacturer Moderna and the UK Space Agency, the site has witnessed the addition of over 50 organizations in the last two years, highlighting its importance as a leading science hub.
The development of Harwell East aims to address the increasing demand for laboratory and advanced manufacturing spaces, particularly for early-stage businesses in Oxford. The Crown Estate has noted a significant shortage of suitable facilities, which poses challenges for companies aiming to grow within the UK.
Currently, efforts are underway to obtain planning permission for the construction on this site. Dan Labbad, CEO of the Crown Estate, emphasized, “The UK”s science, innovation and technology community is pushing the boundaries of progress in areas from AI to advanced manufacturing. They need the specialized lab facilities and housing to realize potential.”
He added, “The ambition of Harwell East is to create the space for great science to flourish and to fuel growth and success not just in the region but for the benefit of the whole country.”
Lord Vallance, the Science Minister, remarked, “Opening up Harwell East could help the brilliant businesses and innovators based here to expand and tackle the great challenges of our era, with access to the labs, facilities, and homes they need to do their work.” He emphasized the site”s vast economic potential, which underscores the government”s commitment to unlocking the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor as a catalyst for national growth.
Over the next 15 years, the Crown Estate plans to invest up to £1.5 billion across the UK in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. Although it operates as an independent entity, the estate belongs to the reigning monarch, managing a portfolio valued at £15 billion that encompasses properties across the country, including London”s West End. Revenue generated by the Crown Estate contributes to funding the monarchy”s activities.
