Community invited to feed into latest proposals for Begbroke Innovation District

Local residents, businesses and community stakeholders in Begbroke, Kidlington and Yarnton have a further chance to give their views on the emerging masterplan for the proposed Innovation District around Begbroke Science Park, to the north of Oxford.

Dates and locations for the next series of public exhibition events:

Wednesday, 08 March from 6.00pm to 8.00pm at Begbroke Village Hall, 3 Begbroke Lane, Begbroke, OX5 1RQ
Thursday, 09 March from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at Yarnton Village Hall, The Paddocks, Yarnton, OX5 1TF
Thursday, 09 March from 6.00pm to 8.00pm at Kidlington Football Club, Yarnton Road, Kidlington, OX5 1AT

The proposals for Begbroke Innovation District feature a vibrant mixed-use 190-hectare development by Oxford University Development (OUD) – the joint venture between the University of Oxford and Legal & General. The site was identified for development in Cherwell District Council’s Local Plan to help address Oxford’s urgent demand for available and affordable housing.

The Innovation District builds on the success of Begbroke Science Park, owned by Oxford University and home to world-class university scientists working with industry decision-makers and entrepreneurs to drive forward cutting-edge academic research and development through to commercial success.

Construction works are underway on two new buildings at the Science Park as part of OUD’s delivery of exemplary sustainable development for Oxford University. Expected to complete in early 2024, these will provide around 135,000 sq ft of exceptional new workspace for commercial research companies to grow and further facilities for academic research.

OUD aims to establish the Innovation District, building on the already established Science Park, as a sustainable, well-connected new community that provides much-needed housing and excellent new places for learning, leisure and work – generating a wide range of jobs.

The illustrative masterplan allows for approximately 1,800 new homes, around 50 per cent of which will be affordable. The housing mix will help create a balanced community by providing a choice of type and tenure.

The master plan also shows how the Innovation District will be supported by a range of high-quality amenities and facilities, including space for two primary schools and one secondary school, as well as new cafés, restaurants, shops, gyms, and a pub and characterful public spaces, parks, gardens and allotments.

Three new attractive neighbourhoods will provide a blend of residential, commercial and community uses, anchored by a new civic plaza set around the Grade II listed Farmhouse, and benefitting from close access to generous open space for sport and leisure.

Community input has helped form OUD’s vision, master plan and approach throughout – including in-person and online exhibitions in July and November 2022. OUD is now inviting people to feedback on its latest proposals in its next series of public exhibitions before the submission of an outline planning application in the summer of 2023.

This submission will set out the broad framework and parameters for development – within which the future detailed ‘reserved matters’ applications will be made for the phased delivery of the Innovation District over the coming years.

There will be a further opportunity for people to review the final outline application before it is submitted in the summer. With its commitment to careful and responsible stewardship in the long term, OUD will continue to engage with local communities to help shape detailed proposals throughout the lifecycle of the project.

Anybody with questions about the drop-in sessions can contact the project team at begbroke@oud.co.uk or by calling 0800 298 7040.