Oxford approves major life sciences regeneration at Ozone Leisure Park

Plans to transform Oxford’s Ozone Leisure Park into a major life sciences and innovation hub have secured planning approval, unlocking a mixed-use redevelopment that will deliver around 500,000 sq ft of laboratory and office space.

Approved by Oxford City Council, the scheme has been designed by Perkins&Will on behalf of Pioneer Group and Firoka Group, combining specialist research facilities with leisure, retail, heritage restoration and public realm improvements.

The redevelopment will replace underused retail units with state-of-the-art laboratories and flexible workspace to meet growing demand from Oxford’s internationally recognised life sciences sector. Existing leisure attractions, including the cinema, bowling alley, cafés and restaurants, will remain operational as part of the long-term vision.

A key feature of the project is the restoration of the Grade II* listed Minchery Farmhouse, which has stood vacant for more than a decade. The 12th-century building, currently on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, will be refurbished and reopened as a pub and social venue overlooking a new Priory garden.

The wider masterplan will also deliver more than 43,000 sq ft of leisure, retail and community space centred around a new public square designed to host markets, events and outdoor dining.

Public realm improvements include 3.2 acres of landscaped open space, the planting of 231 new trees, and enhanced walking and cycling routes to improve connectivity and biodiversity across the site.

The development is expected to create thousands of jobs while supporting education partnerships, skills development and vocational training, further strengthening Oxford’s position as one of the UK’s leading science and technology clusters.

Supply chain opportunities

The project is expected to generate opportunities across:

• Laboratory and life sciences construction

• Commercial office fit-out

• Structural steel and concrete

• Mechanical and electrical engineering

• Specialist cleanroom installations

• Heritage restoration

• Roofing and façades

• Landscaping and public realm

• Highways and infrastructure

• Civil engineering

• External works