Works set to start on Oxford North

Hill Group has been awarded the £15 million contract to deliver enabling infrastructure for the Oxford North development and hopes to start work this month.

The works will include earthworks, sustainable drainage ponds, landscaping and the initial infrastructure required for the new link road construction between the A40 and A44 which will serve 140,000 sq ft of laboratory and business space and a park within the central zone.

It follows Oxford City Council’s planning committee’s approval for the reserved matters application for the enabling works on August 10.

Works will begin as soon as the decision notice is published which could be as early as August 23. Hill Group is also the contractor appointed to deliver homes on the Canalside section of the 64-acre site

William Donger, director for developer Thomas White Oxford (TWO), part of St John’s College, said: “We have the green light to start works which is a significant milestone for Oxford North.

“With the world’s eyes on Oxford, we are as ever committed to deliver our investment into this project, local area and city.

“These enabling works lay the ground so that future development parcels will be able to come forward without further significant earthworks being required. To have Hill Group contracted for both the phase one infrastructure and new homes on Canalside is positive delivery news for the project.

“Oxford continues to see exceptional demand for R&D lab and office space from companies of many different sizes from across the globe looking for their front door to be in Oxford. We are delivering a world-leading sustainable place to provide much-needed new homes, to facilitate jobs and enable life-enhancing discoveries which will deliver connectivity and growth while transforming lives and the city.”

Andy Hill, chief executive of Hill Group, said: “This is a significant project for Oxford and will serve to create a new community for the city whilst generating many employment opportunities. We are delighted to have been selected as the contractor to deliver the infrastructure for the new district, helping to facilitate future phases, including the new homes that we will be providing at Canalside.

“We will be looking to expand the workforce to help deliver this project and welcome applicants, who will benefit from our comprehensive training and development programmes, particularly from the local area.”

The team on the project includes Gardiner & Theobald, Fletcher Priest Architects, Stantec, Townshend Landscape Architects, Hoare Lea and Savills.

Visit https://www.oxfordnorth.com/

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