Tritax Symmetry and Siemens Healthineers have partnered to construct a new combined research, development and production facility in Oxfordshire.
The plans for the 603,000 sq ft development, which would produce superconducting magnets used in MRI systems, were submitted to Cherwell District Council.
The building will be bespoke to Siemens Healthineers’ design and production process and be net zero carbon in construction. The facility is also set to achieve a minimum rating of BREEAM Excellent and will incorporate solar PV panels on the roof.
Jonathan Dawes, planning director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “The proposals set out are accompanied by a thorough and robust assessment of all relevant technical matters, including highways and transportation, landscape and visual impacts, ecology, archaeology and heritage, and flood risk.”
The scheme will be developed on a 48-acre site on land north of the A41 and east of junction 9 of the M40, known as Symmetry Park, Oxford North. It has been chosen following an international site search by Siemens Healthineers.
The move comes amid increasing demand for superconducting magnets, resulting in Siemens Healthineers outgrowning its existing facilities in Eynsham, located 13 miles away from Symmetry Park.
Ralph Seidler, managing director of Siemens Healthineers Magnet Technology, Oxford, said: “Realising we needed a larger facility, we carried out an extensive search across the UK; this site is the only location that can meet our requirements.
“Subject to a positive planning outcome, we will commence a phased transition from Eynsham to Oxford North, with changeover anticipated to complete by 2030, subject to the variable demand for product lines developed in the facilities.”
Siemens Healthineers is being advised by JLL. The full project team includes: Framptons Planning, SGP, Vectos, SLR, EDP, Tier, Ridge, Dunwoody, SQW, Feasibility and Savills.
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