Prologis UK has received planning committee approval to develop a further life science facility in Phase 2 of its investment programme at the globally renowned Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC). Subject to receiving the formal planning permission in coming weeks, 4000 Discovery Drive will provide 112,604 sq ft of modern, sustainable laboratory and office space over six storeys. The building will support the creation of hundreds of new jobs and meet the growing need for life science facilities in the Oxford Cambridge Growth Corridor. The most recent approval follows the full occupation of 1000 Discovery Drive by Cambridge University Hospitals Trust and a leading European biotech company. 2000 Discovery Drive is currently under construction and scheduled to complete in September, whilst 3000 Discovery Drive has full planning permission in place. The successful entitlement and construction of Phase 2 underpin a new public-private partnership between Prologis and Cambridgeshire County Council. In February, the Assets and Procurement Committee of the council agreed a partnership with Prologis to deliver Phases 3 & 4 of expansion at CBC, creating an additional 2.4 million sq ft of life science research, development and innovation space. The partnership represents an additional investment ambition of $4 billion (£3 billion) by Prologis over the next two decades and builds on the $635 million (£500 million) Phase 2 investment. The company’s proposals were welcomed by the UK government as a vote of confidence in the UK economy and its Modern Industrial Strategy. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK, said: “Prologis has been investing in the UK life sciences sector for over 20 years, providing the critical infrastructure necessary to ensure that businesses have the modern, sustainable facilities they need. Cambridge Biomedical Campus is globally renowned for innovation in life science and our significant investment over the next two decades will help to cement the campus’ position, whilst delivering lasting economic and health benefits for the people of Cambridge and UK more widely.” Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “The approval of 4000 Discovery Drive is a clear vote of confidence in Cambridge and the UK’s life sciences economy. By investing ahead of demand, Prologis continues to ensure that world-leading organisations can access the sustainable, specialist space they need to choose Cambridge, grow here and remain in the UK. Bringing forward the final consent on the commercial building in Phase 2, while advancing the investment partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council on Phases 3 and 4, demonstrates the power of long-term public-private collaboration to unlock nationally important infrastructure, attract global investment and create high-value jobs. This is the ambition and delivery our region and the country needs, I welcome and support the commitment Prologis continues to deliver.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major regeneration project in Oxford has secured planning approval, paving the way for the transformation of an ageing retail park into a state-of-the-art mixed-use destination centred on life sciences, innovation and community. Global architecture practice Perkins&Will has received consent from Oxford City Council to redevelop Ozone Leisure Park on behalf of Pioneer Group and Firoka Group. The scheme will deliver around 500,000 sq ft of laboratory and office accommodation while retaining the site’s established leisure facilities and restoring a historic Grade II* listed farmhouse. The ambitious masterplan responds to the growing demand for high-quality research space within Oxford, one of the world’s leading life sciences and technology clusters, while creating a vibrant destination that blends scientific innovation with heritage, leisure and public spaces. Under the proposals, underused retail space will be replaced with modern laboratories and flexible workspace designed to support pioneering research, business growth and collaboration. Existing attractions, including the cinema, bowling alley, cafés and restaurants, will remain, ensuring the site continues to serve both the local community and visitors. A key element of the regeneration is the restoration and adaptive reuse of the 12th-century Minchery Farmhouse. Vacant for more than a decade and listed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register since 2011, the Grade II* listed building will be carefully restored and reopened as a pub and social venue overlooking a newly created Priory garden, bringing one of Oxford’s most significant historic buildings back into everyday use. The wider development will also provide more than 43,000 sq ft of leisure, retail and community space, alongside a central public square designed to host markets, outdoor events, performances and dining. Public realm improvements form another important part of the scheme, with 3.2 acres of landscaped open space, the planting of 231 new trees and enhanced walking and cycling routes creating stronger links across the site while promoting biodiversity and active travel. Beyond its physical transformation, the development is expected to generate thousands of new jobs and deliver long-term economic benefits for the region. Plans also include support for education partnerships, vocational training opportunities and skills development, reinforcing Oxford’s position as a global centre for scientific research and innovation. For the construction sector, the project represents a significant mixed-use development that combines specialist laboratory construction, commercial offices, heritage restoration, landscaping and public realm improvements within a single masterplan. The scheme highlights the increasing trend of repurposing underperforming retail destinations to meet growing demand for research, technology and innovation space. With planning permission now secured, the redevelopment of Ozone Leisure Park marks an important step in Oxford’s continued evolution, creating a destination where world-class research, historic preservation, leisure and community life come together to support the city’s future growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Cheltenham Borough Council and its development partner HBD have commenced construction on the first phase of Golden Valley – a £1 billion cyber and technology campus in Cheltenham which will be central to driving growth and innovation in UK National Security and Defence. The news marks a significant milestone in the delivery of this purpose-built cyber and tech innovation space, where government, academia and industry will co-create the future of national security and defence as part of a nationally-significant, diverse ecosystem.  Bowmer + Kirkland has been appointed as main contractor for the first phase, which will include the delivery of IDEA, Golden Valley’s central innovation hub, which houses the national security innovation centre.  Scheduled to open early 2028, IDEA will be a true national asset and will drive diversification of the ecosystem by creating a platform for government, academia and growing companies to co-create; its importance in growing UK Cyber and Defence Innovation is underlined in the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.  IDEA has also been designed to be 50% more energy efficient than typical workspaces, reducing annual carbon emissions by 200 tonnes, and it will sit within a landscape-led development where 60% of Golden Valley is dedicated to open green space. The building is already 68% reserved thanks to strong early interest in the space and will further strengthen the region’s established reputation as a leading destination for cyber security and advanced technologies. IDEA will also have an integrated Skills Hub, with training programs and pathway guidance to help grow local talent and address the skills gap.  Phase one of the development will additionally deliver a second building called ROUTER. This transport hub is designed to support sustainable and smart movement throughout Golden Valley and beyond. The hub will provide advanced cycling facilities, e-bike charging, showers and lockers, alongside real-time transport information, as well as over 400 car parking spaces, addressing long-term infrastructure needs, as well as convenience retail and leisure amenities for occupiers, residents and the wider community. Hamer Boot, Managing Director at HBD, said: “Reaching the point where Golden Valley is now a live construction site is a major achievement and reflects the strength of collaboration between the public and private sector partners involved in bringing this project forward. Phase one is scheduled for completion in early 2028 and will drive significant investment, create employment opportunities and support the development of future ground-breaking technologies.” Councillor Rowena Hay, leader at Cheltenham Borough Council, added: “The delivery of phase one demonstrates our commitment to creating an internationally-recognised development that will deliver lasting benefits for the local, regional and national economy.” “This milestone also marks the first phase of the wider Garden Community vision at Golden Valley, which will establish a sustainable, mixed-use neighbourhood, including new homes, employment space, a new primary school and a range of amenities for the community.” Dr Marsha Quallo-Wright, GCHQ Director of Technology Futures, said: “As the Golden Valley development reaches an important milestone, we’re looking forward to working alongside academia and industry to strengthen our ability to address emerging security challenges, foster innovation, and support the region’s growth. Through these partnerships we will draw on new expertise, share knowledge, and help develop the skills needed for the future. These collaborations will play an important role in supporting our mission to keep the UK safe.” Stuart Fanshaw, Construction Director at Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “Golden Valley is a major strategic development, and this first phase will set the standard for the wider campus.” “IDEA and ROUTER will provide the foundations for the next stage of Golden Valley, while creating opportunities beyond the site itself, from supply chain involvement to skills development. We are pleased to be playing a key role in bringing this first phase forward.” Golden Valley has been designed to foster collaboration between government, SMEs, start-ups, major technology firms, universities and investors, creating an ecosystem that supports innovation, attracts talent and drives economic growth. GCHQ will serve as an anchor for the South West region, driving demand, talent, economic growth and national security focus while connecting to the wider national security cluster. Find out more by visiting: https://www.goldenvalleyuk.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction has officially commenced on the UK’s next-generation national supercomputer, marking the start of one of the country’s most significant scientific infrastructure projects and reinforcing Britain’s ambitions to become a global leader in advanced computing, artificial intelligence and research innovation. Robertson Construction Central East has begun work on the £750m development at the University of Edinburgh, where the new facility will provide an unprecedented increase in computing capability, enabling researchers and businesses to tackle some of the world’s most complex scientific and engineering challenges. Backed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and funded through an investment of up to £750m from the UK Government, the new supercomputer will be approximately 50 times more powerful than the UK’s current national system, ARCHER2, which is also hosted by the University of Edinburgh. Once operational, the machine will be capable of performing at least one billion-billion calculations every second, representing a transformational leap in computational power. Experts believe this capability will accelerate breakthroughs across a wide range of sectors, including aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing, climate modelling, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, medical research and artificial intelligence. The new facility will dramatically reduce the time required to process highly complex simulations and datasets, enabling calculations that currently take days to be completed in just a matter of hours. Researchers anticipate this will significantly accelerate innovation in areas such as cancer drug discovery, extreme weather forecasting, aircraft engine design and next-generation AI systems. The University of Edinburgh was selected to host the project in recognition of more than three decades of expertise in high-performance computing through its EPCC National Supercomputing Centre. Previous generations of the university’s supercomputers have played a critical role in supporting Covid-19 drug discovery, improving wind farm performance and enhancing the efficiency of aircraft engines used around the world. Sustainability has also been placed at the heart of the development. The building itself, approximately the size of a large supermarket, has been designed to minimise its environmental impact through a range of innovative measures. The cooler Scottish climate will naturally reduce the energy required for cooling, while the latest cooling technologies will further improve operational efficiency. In addition, waste heat generated by the supercomputer will be captured and used to warm university buildings, with longer-term research exploring how surplus heat could eventually be transferred into water contained within disused mine workings to support low-carbon heating for nearby communities. The construction programme has also been carefully planned to minimise environmental disruption. Existing structures are being retained wherever possible to reduce demolition waste and embodied carbon, while Robertson Construction is delivering a series of biodiversity initiatives including tree planting, the protection of mature trees and wildlife conservation projects across the site. Professor Mark Parsons, Director of EPCC at the University of Edinburgh, described the project as a “profound leap in compute power for the UK”, adding that its impact will extend across science, industry and society by enabling discoveries that improve lives, strengthen the economy and support future innovation. UK AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said the project represents a major milestone in delivering the UK’s long-term computing strategy, ensuring British researchers, businesses and innovators have access to world-class computing capability within the UK. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, with the supercomputer scheduled to become operational during spring 2028. Once online, it is expected to become one of Europe’s most powerful computing systems and a cornerstone of the UK’s future research, technology and industrial strategy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Award-winning home and interiors retailer, Laura James (AGTC Ltd) is proud to announce the official opening of its new operational facility, photography studio and showroom at DIRFT, Rugby, marking a significant milestone in the company’s continued growth and investment in the region. The new facility brings together an expanded operational HQ, purpose-built studio space, and a modern customer showroom, creating a dynamic environment for clients, partners, and employees alike. The move represents one of the largest investments in the company’s history and reinforces Laura James’ long-term commitment to innovation, service excellence, and sustainable growth. The expansion will deliver new employment opportunities within the local area with an estimated 200 jobs within the next 18 months, creating additional jobs across operations, customer service, project delivery and support functions. The investment also includes the introduction of a new fleet of company vans, further enhancing the business’s capacity to serve customers across the UK with an in-house delivery service launch. The opening comes during a period of exceptional performance for the business, which has achieved significant year-on-year growth while continuing to build its reputation as an industry-leading, award-winning organisation. “This is an incredibly exciting chapter for Laura James,” says Matthew Talbot, CEO for Laura James. “Our new home at DIRFT provides the space, facilities and infrastructure needed to support the next phase of our journey. It’s a significant investment of over £4m in operational fit out and delivery fleet in both our business and the Rugby area, creating opportunities for growth, employment and innovation.” “Most importantly, this move is about our people. We have built an amazing team and a culture that we’re incredibly proud of. This new facility gives us the perfect environment to continue creating great work, delivering exceptional experiences for our customers, and making new memories together as a team.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A landmark former department store in the heart of Oxford is set to begin a new chapter after Morgan Sindall secured the fit-out contract for a major £125m redevelopment that will transform the historic building into a cutting-edge life sciences hub. Located at 1–12 Magdalen Street, the former Debenhams store will be repurposed to provide approximately 100,000 sq ft of laboratory-enabled incubator and accelerator space, creating a significant new destination for science and technology businesses within one of the UK’s leading innovation centres. The project is being delivered through a partnership between The Crown Estate, Pioneer Group and Oxford Science Enterprises, with international architecture practice Perkins&Will leading the design. The fit-out package secured by Morgan Sindall is expected to be worth more than £35m. The redevelopment will breathe new life into the prominent city centre building while preserving its historic character. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the scheme will retain and repurpose the existing late-19th century structure, creating flexible laboratory facilities and workspace across the upper floors. The development will also feature conference and collaboration spaces, alongside a showcase laboratory designed to engage the wider public with scientific discovery and innovation. A key feature of the project is its strong sustainability focus. By retaining the building’s existing structural frame and external envelope, the development team aims to significantly reduce embodied carbon and minimise the environmental impact associated with large-scale redevelopment. The approach reflects the growing emphasis across the construction and property sectors on adaptive reuse and the preservation of valuable built assets. The scheme also highlights the increasing demand for specialist laboratory and research facilities as Oxford continues to strengthen its position as one of Europe’s most important science and technology clusters. The new hub will provide flexible accommodation for start-ups, scale-ups and established businesses operating across a range of scientific disciplines, helping to support innovation, collaboration and commercial growth. The redevelopment forms part of The Crown Estate’s ambitious £1.5bn investment programme focused on science, innovation and technology sectors over the next 15 years. The long-term strategy is designed to support the growth of knowledge-based industries while creating sustainable and future-ready environments that encourage research, development and entrepreneurship. Once complete, the transformation of the former Debenhams building will create a vibrant new centre for life sciences in the heart of Oxford, combining heritage preservation, sustainability and innovation to deliver a flagship destination for the city’s growing scientific community. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Glencar has secured a major new contract to deliver the next phase of Pure Data Centres’ rapidly expanding Brent Cross campus in North London, reinforcing its growing reputation within the fast-moving data centre sector. The contractor has been appointed to construct the latest stage of the development, known as LON1B2, a 70MW facility extending to more than 23,000 sq m. The project represents an investment of more than £100m and is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2029. The appointment marks another significant milestone in the ongoing expansion of the Brent Cross campus, which is emerging as one of the capital’s key digital infrastructure hubs. The site is being developed within a live operational environment, with one facility already operational and a further phase currently under construction. Glencar’s scope of works includes piling and foundations, the structural frame, connections to adjacent buildings, concrete and slab works, stair cores, as well as the full building envelope and roofing package. One of the most striking elements of the scheme will be a substantial living wall installation covering approximately 7,400 sq m of the building’s façade. Featuring more than 750,000 plants, the system is believed to be among the largest living wall installations of its kind anywhere in the world. The green infrastructure has been designed to enhance biodiversity, improve local air quality and help reduce noise levels adjacent to the Brent Reservoir Site of Special Scientific Interest. The approach reflects the increasing focus on sustainability within the data centre sector as operators seek to balance growing digital demand with environmental responsibilities. Eddie McGillycuddy, chief executive of Glencar, said the project demonstrates the company’s growing expertise in delivering complex data centre developments within operational environments. He added that the scheme requires careful coordination across multiple active construction zones and phases. The project also highlights the continued growth of the UK data centre market, driven by increasing demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital services and secure data storage. For Glencar, the Brent Cross appointment adds another high-profile scheme to a portfolio that continues to expand across industrial, logistics, commercial and mission-critical infrastructure sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Bicester Motion, the 444-acre future mobility estate in Oxfordshire, has unveiled plans to enable substantial investment in its estate over the next 10 years to enhance its masterplan vision to foster a connected, dynamic and sustainable community for automotive and aviation experience brands to thrive, alongside the introduction of new and affordable apartments and its strengthened plans for a hotel. Bicester Motion was established in 2013 when the 444-acre former RAF site was acquired to create a world-leading mobility cluster for like-minded mobility manufacturers, artisans, engineers, innovators and change-makers who have a shared passion to deliver the future mobility solutions society needs. Bicester Motion has previously secured a number of major planning consents bringing its total areas of active business space and consents to total circa one million sq ft (92,903 sq m). These include Bicester Heritage, The Hangars, The Command Works, The Rushes, The Ranges and The Hotel. The first five years of ownership focused on regenerating the award-winning technical site to create Bicester Heritage, which has evolved into the mobility-focused and award-winning new build development home to eight buildings forming The Command Works in 2020 and The Ranges’ first HQ with the first phase completed in 2026. Today, the estate hosts a diverse range of businesses in the automotive and aviation sector and is supported by a range of amenities on site that includes cafés, overnight accommodation, vehicle valeting and storage, specialist retail, insurance, events and apprenticeship training. More than £100 million has already been invested to re-purpose the estate, bringing it to new life as a hub for innovation, home to more than 50 companies, the majority of which were new to Bicester employing more than 500 people and training 200 apprentices per year. The cluster currently boosts the economy by circa £500 million in gross value added per annum. Future mobility automotive and aviation brands such as Audi Revolut F1 Team, Polestar, Motorsport UK, Skyports Infrastructure and record-breaking synthetic fuel manufacturer Zero have recently arrived at the estate. TeamSport is also set to open its new indoor e-karting centre later in the year, while Mercedes-Benz-owned electric motor technology company YASA will this summer move into a new HQ at The Ranges bringing with them 400 skilled employees. This activity has demonstrated a strong demand from businesses seeking to be part of Bicester Motion’s community and benefit from its strategic location in the heart of Motorsport Valley. Bicester Motion’s proposed enhanced masterplan will draw upon its experience to deliver distinct and connected areas of its estate by their unique character to enable an additional circa one million sq ft (92,903 sq m) of offices and technical workspace for pioneering companies accelerating the world’s adoption of future mobility technology. It also plans to create a place where people can live, work and thrive, supported by a wider ambition to create in the region of 200 one to three-bedroom new and affordable apartments, while the hotel will support new lodges and include a clubhouse for people to visit and stay. With ecology and biodiversity initiatives already in place, the proposed masterplan will further invest in the landscape and enhancements to deliver 10% biodiversity net gain to enrich its environment through mindful design and development. The plans will foster employment opportunities and career pathways within the traditional and pioneering businesses based on the estate and across its construction programme. As a destination for automotive enthusiasts through its annual events programme, which includes its sold-out Scrambles and attracts circa 150,000 per year visitors from all over the UK and world, the ten year vision is designed to boost growth, bolster the local economy, UK PLC and generate enduring opportunities for people to live, work, and flourish. Also, it will ensure Bicester Motion is further cemented as a proud part of the Bicester community. Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive officer, Bicester Motion said: “As custodians of the estate, we’re proud of the world-leading mobility cluster we have created by investing in Bicester and Oxfordshire, creating skilled jobs, remarkable opportunities and unique experiences. We remain driven to deliver a dynamic and inclusive environment, with thoughtful design, community wellbeing and long-term sustainability all coming together to shape a vibrant place for generations to enjoy. We now look ahead to the next 10 years and welcome people’s feedback as we look to further invest in and enhance this unique place.” A four week public consultation has opened on Thursday 28 May 2026 and will run until Thursday 25 June 2026. A public exhibition will be held at Bicester Motion on Friday 12 June from 2pm to 7pm. To view the public consultation, please visit: https://consultation.bicestermotion.com/ Ridge, Edgars, Nicholsons, Stantec, Motion, Auroch Ecology, Worlledge Associates and LDA Design acted on behalf of Bicester Motion. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals