Approval for 25,000 sq m of new labs at ARC Oxford

Councillors have approved a speculative 25,000 sq m life sciences building at ARC Oxford.

Oxford City Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the proposal by

Breakthrough Properties to demolish the vacant three-storey Trinity House office building in John Smith Drive for the new six-storey laboratory building with a gross external area of 25,448 sq m. Up to 142 parking spaces are included.

The developer is a joint venture between Tishman Speyer and Bellco Capital.

Breakthrough Properties expects to achieve a minimum of BREEAM Excellent but is exploring whether it can reach Outstanding. It would be the first speculative building of its kind to do so if it did.

Director Adam Wlodarczyk-Black told the June 20 meeting: “We firmly believe our plans are a significant opportunity for the city to enhance its global status as a life sciences super power with an iconic new building that reflects contemporary sustainability credentials.”

The scheme is expected to create 1,400 new full-time jobs plus more than 700 during construction.

The team on the project includes DP9 on planning and David Roden Architects.

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