Construction of two innovative science centers set for groundbreaking ceremonies
New Innovation Hubs to Boost UK's Tech Sector
The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus is set to expand with the construction of two new buildings, Quad Three and Co:LABS, which will provide approximately 35,000 sqm of new employment floorspace. Carter Jonas, a leading property consultancy firm, has secured planning consent for this development.
Co:LABS, the first phase of an innovation quarter, is expected to be a hub for technology start-ups, with the aim of helping these companies scale-up and have a truly global impact. Quad Three, though specific details about its purpose are not yet available, is likely to be another research or innovation facility, aligning with the campus's mission to foster interdisciplinary research and innovation.
The development of Quad Three and Co:LABS is part of the Harwell Campus Partnership's plan to triple the amount of available space at the campus in the coming years. This expansion is expected to contribute to the Vale of White Horse Council's employment growth strategy and the UK's overall tech sector growth.
The construction of these buildings is set to begin this month, with completion expected by the end of 2025. The plans also include extensive landscaping, which is expected to benefit both new and existing users of the campus. Carter Jonas has announced they will advise on all planning matters during the construction period.
Harwell Campus is already a significant player in the UK's tech sector, hosting over £3bn of science infrastructure, including the UK's national synchrotron facility, the Diamond Light Source. The campus is home to approximately 7,000 research and support staff working across some 250 organizations.
The UK Space Agency recently relocated its headquarters to Harwell, further solidifying its status as an active and evolving innovation hub. Harwell is known for its advanced research facilities in areas such as fusion energy, space science, and technology start-ups, often with partnerships between universities, industry, and government.
Notably, Oxford University is currently spinning out more companies than any other location in the UK. Other local universities like Cranfield are closing in on Oxford's rate of company spin-outs. The new site at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus will provide the right space, environment, and home for these start-up companies.
As the development plan, timeline, and expected impact for Quad Three and Co:LABS are not detailed in the available search results, further consultation of official Harwell campus development publications or project announcements may be necessary to gain a more comprehensive understanding of these new buildings' role in the campus's future.
- The first phase of the innovation quarter, Co:LABS, will function as a community hub for health-and-wellness, fostering fitness-and-exercise and workplace-wellness initiatives within the UK's tech sector, contributing to the growth of technology start-ups.
- Quad Three, another research or innovation facility, is expected to support environmental-science and interdisciplinary research, further solidifying Harwell Campus's reputation as an active and evolving innovation hub, especially in areas like fusion energy, space science, and technology start-ups.
- The extensive landscaping of Quad Three and Co:LABS will create a conducive environment for these start-up companies, encouraging their growth and global impact, aligning with the campus's mission and the UK's overall tech sector growth strategy.
