Plans for the 64-acre Oxford North scheme are being advanced by St John College’s development company Thomas White Oxford.

The new life sciences district in Oxford will ultimately see around 1m sq ft of laboratories and offices, nearly 500 homes small shops, bars and restaurants, hotel, circa 23 acres of open spaces including three new parks.

Local planners have now backed the outline masterplan and given detailed consent for the Central area. This first phase will consist of 140,000 sq ft of laboratories and office space in three buildings along with a new public park.

The Red Hall will offer workspace for start-ups, entrepreneurs from Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University

The S106 agreement includes A40 and A44 improvements, including Peartree Interchange.

A reserved matters application for the initial enabling works, which will include the earthworks and drainage, will be submitted shortly to Oxford City Council while plans to build new homes on the western Canalside portion of the site will be submitted in the summer.

Aerial view of planned Oxford North scheme

William Donger, director, Thomas White Oxford said: “This is a significant day for Oxford’s future after many years of discussions to unlock a bold vision to transform the area to build a global innovation district for the city.

“We are committed to investing in a place that will enhance people’s quality of life, help to retain and attract Oxford’s remarkable talent and deliver positive socio-economic impacts.”

The client team includes architect Fletcher Priest, Hoare Lea and Stantec as MEP and Structural consultants respectively, with Gardiner & Theobald on bioard as cost consultant.