Mission possible as 180,000 sq ft life sciences scheme gets nod in Oxford

Mission Street and BGO have secured a resolution to grant planning permission from Oxford City Council for Phase 2 of their development in the West End of Oxford. Known as Fabrica, the scheme will provide 180,000 sq ft of innovation real estate within a 10-minute walk from Oxford station and city centre. Designed by NBBJ, Fabrica has been designed to provide full flexibility of wet labs and offices across five floors. The planning success comes in the same week as practical completion of Mission Street and BGO’s 65,000 sq ft Inventa building. Inventa and Fabrica will provide the first commercial science schemes in the West End, Oxford’s central science district. Some 2m sq ft of commercial and university science buildings have been identified within the West End pipeline. Misson Street chief executive Artem Korolev said: “The decision to grant planning permission for Fabrica is a significant statement for the city of Oxford and for the Mission Street-BGO joint venture. This is the largest commercial sciences scheme to gain consent in central Oxford and recognises the growing trend towards urban science. “The benefits for future occupiers are clear – proximity to Oxford train station and the city centre provides access to wider talent pools, ability to adopt sustainable travel methods, access to the amenities and cultural offerings of the city centre, as well as the key anchors including the university. We’re extremely excited to be at the forefront of this transformation of the West End.” CBRE and Bidwells are letting agents on the scheme. To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@eg.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @EGPropertyNews Images © NBBJ See which agents are doing the most deals in Oxford >>