British Land reveals its first lab scheme in Oxford

British Land is drafting proposals for its first life sciences scheme in Oxford. The proposed 300,000 sq ft development will sit on the 23-acre Botley Road Retail Park. British Land owns a section of the park which covers the Currys building next to the car park and a selection of four buildings to the south of the park. The FTSE 250-listed developer plans to knock down the existing facilities to allow the construction of three buildings providing lab-enabled space for mature occupiers in the sector. Amber Morley, development manager at British Land, said: “We’re trying to do something a bit different compared with what I would call like a typical science park building built of glass and metal. We are trying to bring forward the materials that are slightly softer on the outside and more sympathetic to a residential area.” Inside, the facilities will feature a wide reception area, meeting space and breakout rooms. There will also be a café and events space for local residents and the science community. Morley said: “It’s going to be stitched into our social sustainability strategy, offering something a little bit different to straight commercial café.” The scheme, designed by Owers Warwick Architects, will be centred around a landscape courtyard. Morley said: “We think this is going to be a unique part of the site as it will feel like you’re stepping away from a busy Botley Road into an oasis of calm within the two buildings. “This courtyard space is not just an ornamental garden which is nice to look at, but this has got to be a productive space.” Public realm at British Land’s Botley Road scheme also has its roots in Regent’s Place, where the developer has recently renewed outdated spaces between buildings. Some inspiration also came from 1.5-acre Exchange Square, London’s newest park, located at British Land’s Broadgate scheme. Morley said: “So it’s taking what we do well in between the buildings within our campuses and making sure that’s translated into the scheme in Oxford.” British Land will hold a public consultation in the summer and expects to submit a planning application to the council in autumn. The announcement comes after the council drafted a development brief for the retail park, seeking to establish a vision for the area. The proposed development will sit next to Inventa, a 65,000 sq ft life sciences facility delivered by Mission Street. Earlier this week, EG revealed the building has secured its first biotech occupier, Nucleome Therapeutics, for 20,000 sq ft of workspace.  Elsewhere, Columbia Threadneedle Investments has revealed plans to transform New Barclay House, which sits next to the Botley Road Retail Park, into research and development space, offices and a café.  Image © British Land