The Crown Estate has announced plans to expand the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire by acquiring a 221-acre site adjacent to it. This land, currently used as farmland, is intended for the development of approximately 4.5 million square feet of office, laboratory, and manufacturing space, along with the potential for up to 400 new homes.
The proposed Harwell East site will enhance the existing facilities that already host over 50 organizations, including prominent companies like Moderna and the UK Space Agency. This expansion comes in response to the increasing demand for specialized lab and manufacturing spaces, particularly for early-stage businesses struggling to find suitable locations in Oxford.
Dan Labbad, chief executive of the Crown Estate, emphasized the importance of providing specialized facilities and housing for the UK”s growing science, innovation, and technology sectors. He stated, “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.”
Science Minister Lord Vallance also highlighted the initiative”s significance, noting that the development could enable local businesses and innovators to expand and address significant challenges of our time. He remarked, “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 science, technology, and innovation across the UK over the next 15 years. It operates as an independent business while being owned by the reigning monarch, managing a diverse property portfolio valued at £15 billion, which includes notable assets in London.
The current focus is on securing planning permission for development on the newly acquired land, which is expected to significantly contribute to the region”s economic landscape.
