British Land has gained planning approval for a major £600 million transformation of Euston Tower, a 1960s skyscraper in London, into a cutting-edge life sciences and workspace hub. The ambitious project, designed by 3XN, will deliver 560,000 square feet of high-quality office space, alongside improved public areas and expanded amenities.
AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear company with offices around the world, has delivered designs for cutting-edge facilities including new data and energy centres, as part of plans to transform a former manufacturing site into a sustainably-powered enterprise campus – driving the energy transition programme in Ireland. The project
Designs for Phase Two of a tech development at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus have been approved by the Vale of White Horse District Council for planning. Designed by Scott Brownrigg, Tech Foundry West will create 70,000 sq ft laboratory, advanced manufacturing, and office space to support a growing community
Kao Data has unveiled plans for a third state-of-the-art data centre at its Harlow campus in Essex, further strengthening its position as a leader in high-performance computing and AI infrastructure. The new KLON-03 facility will deliver 17.6MW of capacity and operate entirely on renewable energy. It will feature advanced hybrid-cooled,
The world’s first carbon-neutral industrial laundry has been connected to the electricity grid by Vattenfall IDNO. Stretching across 20,000 square feet in Swindon, the ‘Big Blue 1’ site operated by Oxwash is run entirely on renewable energy and biogas. Operations at the site are environmentally sustainable, including the entire process
DC01UK’s planning application for a new state-of-the-art data centre has recently been approved by Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee. The new facility has been given the green light just one week after the Government launched its AI Opportunities Action Plan. The Plan outlines the economic growth opportunities presented by the
A four-week planning inquiry has commenced over a controversial proposal to transform Green Belt land south of Marlow—part of the Little Marlow Lakes Country Park—into a £750 million film studio complex. The ambitious development includes 18 sound stages, workshops, office spaces, and a vast backlot. Buckinghamshire Council previously refused planning
The UK’s first fashion manufacturing lab the ‘Work in Progress Pavilion’ for Robotics Living Lab (RoLL) has completed. The pioneering pavilion, designed by Bennetts Associates for Manchester Fashion Institute at Manchester Metropolitan University, provides fashion designers and manufacturers a base from which to create and produce more sustainable fashion manufacturing
Salford City Council have approved plans for a £250m data centre at Peel Waters’ Halo West site, in Salford, Greater Manchester. Peel Waters had previously secured planning permission to redevelop the six-acre industrial site in July 2024, since the planning was granted, they have worked jointly with Digital Land &
MEPC has announced the completion of its £40 million Nebula development at Milton Park, Oxfordshire, the UK’s largest single ownership innovation community. Comprising seven sustainable research and development (R&D) workspaces totalling nearly 80,000 sq ft, Nebula’s design and build focused on environmentally conscious materials, such as incorporating glue-laminated (glulam) structural
British Land has gained planning approval for a major £600 million transformation of Euston Tower, a 1960s skyscraper in London, into a cutting-edge life sciences and workspace hub. The ambitious project, designed by 3XN, will deliver 560,000 square feet of high-quality office space, alongside improved public areas and expanded amenities. With redesigned 19,000-square-foot floor plates, the scheme aims to cater to the evolving demands of modern businesses. Following concerns over sustainability, British Land revised its initial proposals last year, focusing on a more environmentally conscious approach. The approved plans will involve partial demolition and retrofitting, preserving the building’s central core and foundations while dismantling the façade and floor slabs. This method retains 31% of the original structure, reducing environmental impact. The redeveloped 31-storey tower will feature 4,000 square feet of restaurant and café space, alongside 8,000 square feet dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs, start-ups, and innovation initiatives. The site, located within British Land’s Regent’s Place campus, will operate on an all-electric system and target a BREEAM Outstanding rating for sustainability. Camden Council granted approval for the scheme during a planning committee meeting on 20 March, with a final decision still required from the Mayor of London. David Lockyer, head of development at British Land, commented: “We are delighted to receive planning consent for this incredible scheme – the first West End tower in a generation, and likely to be the last. This world-class building will provide space for the UK’s greatest minds to turn research into real-world solutions. “The tower is ideally located at our Regent’s Place campus, where the Knowledge Quarter meets the West End, offering businesses access to a thriving ecosystem of academic and research institutions stretching from Harley Street to King’s Cross.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear company with offices around the world, has delivered designs for cutting-edge facilities including new data and energy centres, as part of plans to transform a former manufacturing site into a sustainably-powered enterprise campus – driving the energy transition programme in Ireland. The project is a joint venture between Meridiam, an independent investment Benefit Corporation and an asset manager in long-term sustainable infrastructure solutions, and Gyrogy, an Irish energy-tech firm, which acquired the Premier Periclase business in May 2023. Since then, the partners have designed plans to transform the site on the north bank of the River Boyne beside Drogheda Port into a state-of-the art industrial campus for large energy users. Drogheda manufacturer Premier Periclase Limited (PPL), appointed AtkinsRéalis to deliver full multidisciplinary design services* for the unique business campus on its site, which could ultimately involve an investment of between €600 million and €1 billion over the next ten years. This would facilitate and manage flexible and renewable energy in ‘real-time’ for the national grid and will pave the way for a net zero industrial campus emissions model that can change how large energy users operate in Ireland. The appointment has seenAtkinsRéalis develop its designs to support PPL’s redevelopment of the Drogheda manufacturing site, involving demolition and site remediation works, substantial upgrades to the PPL site infrastructure, and the integration of renewable energy sources and advanced energy storage systems on the new CORE campus. The first phase of development will focus on installing sustainable energy infrastructure and a 32MW data centre. Kevin Holland, Director of Infrastructure for AtkinsRéalis Ireland, said: “The project is a fantastic example of how AtkinsRéalis can support the delivery of grid positive initiatives which will drive the energy transition in Ireland. “Not only will it bring investment and new jobs to the area, but it also aligns with Ireland’s climate action objectives and the AtkinsRéalis purpose of engineering a better future for our planet and its people.” This appointment follows AtkinsRéalis’ previous appointment to undertake a feasibility plan for the site. A planning application has been submitted for the new campus by PPL and it is hoped, subject to approval, that the site will grow to accommodate a range of high-tech industries, such as biopharma, food, beverage, horticulture and sustainable manufacturing. The site’s decarbonisation and development focus will make the campus extremely attractive to large foreign direct investment and Irish projects. The planning application for the redevelopment of the site is a major milestone for Drogheda, as the project would bring essential infrastructure upgrades and enhanced biodiversity to the area. The development, which will be known as the CORE sustainably powered enterprise campus, will significantly reduce emissions, noise, and light pollution, complementing the special areas of conservation and special protection zones associated with the River Boyne. CEO of Gyrogy, Colin Kelly, stated: “By transitioning to a sustainable business model, this project will secure the long-term future of this historic industrial site, creating more jobs and economic opportunities than ever before for the local community. “We are proud to be part of a project that delivers significant energy transition and community benefits which will set a new benchmark for sustainable energy practices in Ireland.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Designs for Phase Two of a tech development at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus have been approved by the Vale of White Horse District Council for planning. Designed by Scott Brownrigg, Tech Foundry West will create 70,000 sq ft laboratory, advanced manufacturing, and office space to support a growing community of leading scientists, engineers, and innovators within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. The speculatively designed building will occupy a site on the north-western corner of Harwell campus adjacent to Phase One of the development, Tech Edge 1 & 2, which is currently under construction. The design creates a clear distinction between pedestrianised public spaces and service areas with vehicular access by dividing and extruding the floorplan across an east west axis. A sawtooth roof both unifies and defines nine individual mid-tech units, each benefitting from a private entrance and views out across extensive landscaping to the south. Provision of individual units combined with a flexible layout ensures the building will be fully equipped to accommodate multi-tenancy and meet a variety of spatial requirements now, and in the future. A carefully considered palette of materials – dark standing seam and naturally finished timber cladding – will complement the natural setting and enhance the building’s striking architectural form. Supporting Harwell’s sustainability objectives and commitment to delivering a Campus Fit for the Future, the design follows a fabric first approach. Use of modulated brise soleil on south facing glazed facades and polycarbonate on north facing facades optimises natural light, manages solar gain, and minimises artificial light spill to the surrounding environment. The buildings serrated profile creates opportunities to introduce Photovoltaic Voltaic (PV) panels onto southwest facing sections of the roof. Landscaping proposals focus on enhancing biodiversity on site through the introduction of juvenile trees and planters inspired by woodland tree leaf cells. Provision of valuable outdoor amenity to support the wellbeing of building users includes the completion of a pedestrian nature trail that weaves through the campus. With construction now started on site, Tech Foundry West is expected to complete in early 2026. Project team: Client: The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Limited Partnership Architect: Scott Brownrigg Project Manager: Bidwells Services Engineer: Etch Associates Civil & Structural Engineer: Baynham Meikle Quantity Surveyor: Tetra Tech Landscape Architect: RPS Planning Consultant: Carter Jonas Sustainability Consultant: Eight Versa Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kao Data has unveiled plans for a third state-of-the-art data centre at its Harlow campus in Essex, further strengthening its position as a leader in high-performance computing and AI infrastructure. The new KLON-03 facility will deliver 17.6MW of capacity and operate entirely on renewable energy. It will feature advanced hybrid-cooled, hot aisle containment (HAC) systems, capable of supporting high-density computing with rack densities of up to 130kW. Since opening in 2018, Kao Data’s 656,600 sq ft Harlow campus has become a key hub for AI, cloud computing, and GPU-powered deployments. Its existing KLON-01 and KLON-02 data centres each provide 10MW of capacity. David Bloom, founder and chairman of Kao Data, reflected on the milestone: “This year marks a decade since our vision for the Harlow campus began, and it’s fantastic to see it firmly established as the UK’s leading destination for advanced computing. KLON-03 will set a new benchmark for our industrial-scale data centre platform, delivering one of the country’s largest footprints of liquid-cooled capacity in line with the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan.” Kao Data chief executive Doug Loewe added: “The era of AI is truly here, and it’s fitting that we continue to innovate on the very campus where Sir Charles Kao pioneered fibre optics. Our technical team has refined the design to push the boundaries of efficiency, and we’re excited to bring our first large-scale, liquid-cooled infrastructure to life.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The world’s first carbon-neutral industrial laundry has been connected to the electricity grid by Vattenfall IDNO. Stretching across 20,000 square feet in Swindon, the ‘Big Blue 1’ site operated by Oxwash is run entirely on renewable energy and biogas. Operations at the site are environmentally sustainable, including the entire process from packaging used to transport laundered items, to power for their electric vans and e-cargo bikes. Big Blue 1 also uses wet cleaning techniques which drastically reduce water and energy consumption as well as filtering out plastic microfibres, setting them apart from traditional dry cleaners that rely on harmful chemicals like ‘Perc’, which are banned in several countries. The contestable works, the building of the system needed to connect Big Blue I to the point of connection to the grid, were completed by SmOp Cleantech. Vattenfall IDNO will operate and maintain the assets needed for that connection, such as a 1 MVA 11kV/LV Substation and enclosure (transformer and ancillaries), LV Metering and LV cables. These electrical connection and assets mean Oxwash can now process over 15 million items a year, whilst eliminating the production of CO2 at the site. Stewart Dawson, Managing Director at Vattenfall IDNO said: “We are proud to support Oxwash with their Big Blue project. We urgently need to electrify as many of the UK’s industrial processes as possible in order to reduce carbon emissions and drive rapid progress towards net zero. The Oxwash carbon neutral project demonstrates how achievable it is to switch away from fossil fuels to clean power and we congratulate them for taking this bold step to create the world’s first carbon-neutral laundry. We have a great working relationship with SmOp Cleantech and look forward to adopting more of their projects and driving UK electrification forward together.” Stephen Alabi, Lead Project Engineer, at SmOp Cleantech, said: “Delivering the 11kV grid connection for Big Blue I was a simple project for us, but it’s a great example of how industry can drive sustainability. This project demonstrates what’s possible when business commits to carbon neutrality. It’s been a privilege to help power Big Blue I and to be part of setting a benchmark for the sustainability of large-scale industry in the UK.” Dr. Kyle C. Grant-Talbot, Founder & CEO, Oxwash Ltd said: “The delivery of the 11kV point of connection by SmOp, which is being adopted by Vattenfall, is a critical milestone for Big Blue I, enabling us to power the world’s first industrial-sized, carbon-neutral laundry entirely on renewable energy and biogas. The collaboration has been excellent, allowing us to scale our mission and our laundry business without compromising our planet. At 20,000 square feet, Big Blue I sets a new standard for industrial operations – carbon neutrality at this scale is not only achievable but essential if we are to reach net zero in time.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
DC01UK’s planning application for a new state-of-the-art data centre has recently been approved by Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee. The new facility has been given the green light just one week after the Government launched its AI Opportunities Action Plan. The Plan outlines the economic growth opportunities presented by the AI revolution, in which new data centres will play a pivotal role. The new Plan sets out long term plans for AI infrastructure needs, mitigates sustainability and includes security considerations for AI infrastructure. Last September, DC01UK’s planning application was widely reported on, when it featured exclusively in the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology’s announcement of the sector-wide reclassification of data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, which significantly bolstered the importance of data centres within the UK. DC01UK, when built, will be Europe’s largest cloud and AI data centre, with up to two million square feet of space, and the location of the data centre brings together the key pillars needed to fulfil the existing cloud shortfall and cater for the large increase in demand expected in future years. This includes a power reservation of 400MVA from National Grid, owing to its proximity to the Elstree (Letchmore Heath) substation and proximity to national and international fibre optic routes as well as nearby Availability Zones in the region. Economic projections estimate the construction value of the project at £3.75bn with a year-round generation of £21.4m in business rates once the data centre is operational. The positive economic impact of the data centre would also see the creation of 500 skilled on-site jobs during the construction phase, 200 permanent, skilled jobs once up and running and a further 13,740 indirect jobs, 10,900 of which would be in the South East. DC01UK is also estimated to generate approximately £1.1 billion per annum GVA (Gross Value Added) indirectly per year. This landscape-led scheme is set in 85 acres of grounds, 54 per cent of which will be retained as green, open space, with a 10 per cent net biodiversity gain. The approved plans also include a suite of local benefits, including the confirmed expansion of the local cycle hire programme, £2m of upgrades for new and existing bus routes, and improvements to cycle paths, footpaths and crossings. There is also a significant financial contribution to local employment skills and opportunities included within the plans. A spokesperson for DC01UK, commenting on their successful planning application, said: “We want to thank Hertsmere Borough Council for their open and pragmatic approach to DC01UK’s plans. They understand our ambition for both the project and the borough. It will bring huge benefits for local people through a stronger local economy, more skilled jobs and better opportunities. Our plans also include a raft of upgrades for local transport, including new and existing bus routes, expansion of the local cycle hire scheme and road improvements. “This approval will also solidify Hertsmere’s status as a leading region in the South East as a tech and media superhub, complementing other established, large technology-driven organisations and film studios in the area. “With planning for this important piece of Critical National Infrastructure now approved, the site stands ready to power the needs of tomorrow bringing a much-welcomed boost to the UK’s digital economy. “Our plan will put Hertfordshire at the epicentre of the new data centre revolution, as well as creating £3.75bn for the economy during construction and almost 14,000 indirect jobs once operational.” Minister for Telecoms, Sir Chris Bryant MP, said: “Data centres are the beating hearts of this modern age, powering the digital infrastructure that we can no longer live without. “That is why I am thrilled to see that Hertsmere Council has granted planning permission to one of the largest data centre projects in Europe. “Data centres like this will not only play a pivotal role in our AI Opportunities Action Plan, but drive economic growth through the creation of skilled jobs across the South East.” Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council and Chair of the Hertfordshire Growth Board, said: “This is a momentous development for our borough. Hertsmere has cleared the way to becoming the home of a data centre which will be integral to serving Britain with cutting-edge technology. It’ll be a piece of critical national infrastructure needed for many generations to come. “The project, which is aligned with the council’s vision, is set to deliver hugely significant growth and economic benefits for the area, creating jobs during and after the construction phase, as well as new businesses. This news clearly reinforces Hertsmere’s status as an extremely attractive location for business and industry, with a reputation that is getting even stronger. “The data centre will provide critical synergies for our significant local film and TV sector, with three major sets of studios in Borehamwood. “The Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, which was announced earlier this month, shows the impact that the AI revolution is likely to have for many years to come and data centres, such as this, will play a major part. “While outline planning permission has been granted, we will, of course, continue to listen to and engage with residents about these exciting plans as more details are firmed up. As I’ve said before, I’m sure local people will see the massive value this development could bring to our area.” Stephen Beard, Head of Data Centres at Knight Frank who is advising on the project, said: “DC01UK is a first of its kind. The largest data centre development in Europe in the world’s second largest market, which is perfectly positioned in its ability to service the ever-increasing cloud demand today whilst accommodating the AI needs of tomorrow. A first and great example of the UK’s shift towards becoming a dominant superpower in cloud, AI and general digital infrastructure.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A four-week planning inquiry has commenced over a controversial proposal to transform Green Belt land south of Marlow—part of the Little Marlow Lakes Country Park—into a £750 million film studio complex. The ambitious development includes 18 sound stages, workshops, office spaces, and a vast backlot. Buckinghamshire Council previously refused planning permission, citing several key concerns. The rejection was based on the project’s failure to prove the “very special circumstances” required to justify development on protected Green Belt land. Additional objections included the loss of part of the Country Park, potential harm to the Thames Valley landscape and the adjoining Chilterns National Landscape, as well as negative impacts on local residents’ amenities. Furthermore, the Council raised concerns over the project’s impact on the local road network and its failure to promote sustainable transport solutions effectively. The case has now been taken up by the Secretary of State for a final decision. Representing Buckinghamshire Council, the local planning authority, are Simon Bird KC and Esther Drabkin-Reiter, instructed by Laura Lee Briggs of the Council’s Legal Services. Meanwhile, Claire Nevin, instructed by Sophie Rae of PMV Planning, is acting on behalf of two key opposition groups—Little Marlow Parish Council and Save Marlow’s Green Belt. The inquiry’s outcome will be pivotal, shaping the future of both Marlow’s natural landscape and the UK’s expanding film industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK’s first fashion manufacturing lab the ‘Work in Progress Pavilion’ for Robotics Living Lab (RoLL) has completed. The pioneering pavilion, designed by Bennetts Associates for Manchester Fashion Institute at Manchester Metropolitan University, provides fashion designers and manufacturers a base from which to create and produce more sustainable fashion manufacturing with the aid of robotic technology. The pavilion design champions UK materials and construction methods that help reduce the upfront embodied carbon of the building in conjunction with passive environmental controls to reduce energy consumption for ventilation and cooling. This includes a UK Douglas fir timber frame, which is a native material, and UK straw insulated wall panels that lock away carbon captured within a much shorter timescale than traditional sequestering materials. The exterior is clad in a larch tree charred timber panelling which protects the straw cassette panels beneath. The simple, elegant pavilion occupies and enlivens an under used courtyard tucked away behind the listed Righton Building in central Manchester. The pavilion’s black shou sugi ban clad form and new landscaping give the previously unassuming courtyard a characterful, new sense of place. The timber frame forms and expressive waffle soffit structure, left exposed, with contrasting light this provides a calm backdrop to the changing roster of research outcomes on display. Bennetts Associates’ approach to the design has resulted in an upfront carbon figure of 468 kgCO2e/m2 GIA (A1-A5), the full breakdown of which is available to download here. A further -340 kgCO2e/m2 GIA biogenic carbon is captured in the building. This is expected to align with the Net Zero Carbon Building Standard new-build Higher Education target up to 2030. The project has now been submitted to the NZCBS Pilot Scheme, and a Post Occupancy Evaluation exercise is now underway. Bennetts Associates has also ensured that many of the materials and components can be reused in the future, adopting principles of the circular economy in line with the University’s Leadership in Sustainability strategy working towards a zero-carbon future, and Greater Manchester’s Zero Carbon Manchester 2038 plan. Adrian Lonsdale, Studio Director at Bennetts Associates, said: “The Work in Progress Pavilion is a pioneering space that not only represents a milestone in resource-conscious design and challenging conventional building techniques, but also marks a significant first for the university and the UK fashion industry. As a practice known for our commitment to sustainability, we are proud to deliver an exemplary project that highlights the potential of biogenic and regenerative low-carbon materials. It’s been fantastic to work with a client whose ambition for a low-carbon future aligns so well with our own. This has enabled us to develop a multifunctional space that is lean, elegant and minimises upfront carbon using low-carbon and biogenic materials.” Susan Postlethwaite, Professor of Fashion Technologies at MFI and Director of RoLL, said: “This launch is the culmination of years of planning, collaboration and research, and I’m delighted to showcase the important work of the lab inside this beautiful structure designed by Bennetts Associates to meet our climate commitments.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Salford City Council have approved plans for a £250m data centre at Peel Waters’ Halo West site, in Salford, Greater Manchester. Peel Waters had previously secured planning permission to redevelop the six-acre industrial site in July 2024, since the planning was granted, they have worked jointly with Digital Land & Development on the planning for the much-needed data centre. The site of the approved data centre is located between Eccles and Irlam, off Liverpool Road, just north of Salford Community Stadium and will directly address the digital infrastructure needs of the UK, making the development ‘critical’ for the country’s future. For the UK to maintain its position as a global leader in technology, the country is now in need of significant levels of new data centre capacity. The buildings have been designated as ‘critical national infrastructure’ by the UK government – the same status given to energy and water systems. Data increasingly underpins every element of modern life as the world undergoes a digital transformation. Data centres work as a physical storage space for online information, used for websites, applications, and digital services. The data centre at Halo West will generate the power to support this as well as being a huge boost for technology in the city. The approved data centre feature 12,000 sq. ft of offices, a 56,000 sq. ft data hall, and 63,500 sq. ft of plant. The streetscape views will also be improved for passersby whilst also helping screen the development from adjacent properties, with a significant green buffer being created with new planting along the boundary as well as creating new habitats for wildlife across the site and improving local biodiversity. The data centre development will ensure it is fit for a low carbon future with the use of sustainable materials, application of energy efficient and circular design principles. Reduced water consumption and sustainable drainage as well as the potential to include heat reclaim and export for future district heating have all been designed into the approved scheme. Prioritising sustainable and active means of travel have also been included, with the provision of secure sheltered cycle parking spaces exceeding Local Authority Standards. The £250m investment from Digital Land & Development will act as a significant catalyst within ‘City Gateway’ which includes Port Salford and the Salford Community Stadium and is an area which both Peel Waters and the council have earmarked for further significant regeneration. Peter Linstead, Development Director for Land and Logistics at Peel Waters said: “We’re really pleased that Salford City Council have recognised the need for this development at our Halo West site. Receiving unanimous approval from the planning committee demonstrates clear alignment between the public and private sector to bring forward innovative growth opportunities and deliver much-needed technological infrastructure within the region. We look forward to now the delivery of this development and the significant investment it will bring with it to the area.” Johnny Conway Director at Digital Land & Development added: “Digital Land & Development are excited to be bringing the site forward for a next generation data centre as one of a number of projects across the UK, which given the increasing pace of data processing is driving the necessary requirement for the data centre facilities that house and support this need. We would like to thank Salford City Council for approving this development which will be crucial for the UK to maintain its position as a global leader in technology.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MEPC has announced the completion of its £40 million Nebula development at Milton Park, Oxfordshire, the UK’s largest single ownership innovation community. Comprising seven sustainable research and development (R&D) workspaces totalling nearly 80,000 sq ft, Nebula’s design and build focused on environmentally conscious materials, such as incorporating glue-laminated (glulam) structural timber beams in place of steel, in what is believed to be a UK-first for a R&D workspace. With construction delivered by Barnwood Limited, Nebula’s use of sustainably sourced and recyclable beams instead of steel has significantly reduced its carbon footprint. The innovative approach has contributed to an upfront embodied carbon saving of 686 tonnes of CO₂ throughout construction, the equivalent of 196 return flights to Hong Kong. Aimed at science, technology or advanced engineering companies, Nebula’s buildings have internal vaulted roof heights of 8m, providing flexibility for occupiers with requirements for large-scale scientific equipment or advanced engineering instruments. Following widespread interest from a wide variety of companies with R&D requirements, MEPC has revealed one of the R&D workspaces has been taken as a pre-let. The completion follows the announcement of a refreshed Local Development Order (LDO) at Milton Park. As the UK’s first data-driven, green-focused planning agreement,the LDO is expected to support thousands of new jobs and permit 4.2m sq ft of development. In the coming years, it will streamline planning decisions for its occupiers to just ten days, bringing forward new flexible laboratories, offices and amenities. It also follows last month’s announcement by the Government of plans to boost infrastructure and attract new investment into the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, to attract up to £78bn into the economy by 2035 and realise its potential as a global centre for science and innovation. Commenting on the completion, Science Minister and Oxford-Cambridge Innovation Champion, Lord Vallance, said: “Modern, high-tech facilities are essential to taking full advantage of rapidly developing science and technology and in fulfilling our ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge corridor to be an economic engine for the whole of the UK. “Nebula’s new development of large-scale innovation space will support a range of growing industries, helping businesses to get off the ground and progress, and in turn supporting this Government’s number one mission of economic growth.” Philip Campbell, commercial director at MEPC Milton Park, said: “Nebula’s completion follows on the heels of the Government’s Oxford to Cambridge announcement and plans to create a “Silicon Corridor” of growth. “Delivered through our streamlined ten-day planning LDO, Nebula has been driven by the project team’s collective ambition to create a new R&D development which seamlessly blends design and sustainability, creating an attractive work environment for future occupiers to innovate. “Following this significant milestone, we’re looking forward to opening the doors and showing new and prospective occupiers around this flagship project for Milton Park.” Nebula’s occupiers will benefit from MEPC’s £7m infrastructure investment to enhance Milton Park’s energy capacity, alongside electric charging provision for up to 32 vehicles. Alongside the development targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A energy efficiency standards, surplus wood from the site was also intercepted and donated to RAW Workshop, an Oxfordshire-based social enterprise, where it was recycled into educational materials and new products, maximising Nebula’s environmental and social impact credentials. Working alongside Milton Park and Barnwood Limited as part of the project team are SRA Architects, ASA Landscape Architects, CBRE (leasing agents), Ridge & Partners LLP (BREEAM, cost management, M&E, principal design, project management), Stantec (civil and structural engineering), Mainer Associates (sustainability consultant), William Downie Associates (utilities) and Cundall (carbon consultant). For more information on Nebula, please visit: www.miltonpark.co.uk/availability/nebula-190-192-park-drive Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
