The Oxford Trust has officially commenced construction on its ambitious €8.2m Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington, marking a pivotal moment in what industry insiders are calling the emergence of the UK's next major science cluster outside of Cambridge and London's Golden Triangle.
The 1,486 sq m facility, being delivered by Beard Construction, represents more than just another laboratory development; it signals a strategic shift in Oxford's innovation geography. While the city centre commands headlines with its prestigious university laboratories, Headington is quietly assembling the infrastructure that could rival established science parks across Europe. The new building will provide CL II level laboratory and office space across two floors, alongside a dedicated STEM resources room for Science Oxford's expanding educational programmes.
What makes this development particularly compelling for investors is the untapped potential of the Headington Science Cluster itself. Unlike saturated markets in Cambridge or London, where laboratory space commands premium rents often exceeding £60 per sq ft, Headington offers a unique value proposition, with established research infrastructure without the prohibitive entry costs. The Wood Centre's existing Linden Building already houses nearly 200 employees across pioneering companies, including Bioarchitech, DJS Antibodies, and Barclays Eagle Labs, creating a proven ecosystem ripe for expansion.
Steve Burgess, chief executive officer of The Oxford Trust, emphasised the strategic timing: "Today marks a major milestone in The Oxford Trust's 40-year journey as we celebrate the signing of contracts and the start of construction of our new Aspen Building. The facility will offer essential lab and office space for start-up and early-stage growth science and tech companies, helping to strengthen the Headington Science Cluster and wider innovation ecosystem capabilities."
The sustainability credentials position the development ahead of emerging ESG requirements that are increasingly driving institutional investment decisions. Targeting BREEAM Excellent certification, the building will feature photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting, and deliver a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain across its 15-acre woodland setting. Dean Averies, director at Beard Construction, noted: "As a family-owned business, supporting clients who make a positive impact to society and communities in which they're based means a great deal to us."
With practical completion scheduled for summer 2026 and pre-letting opportunities already available, the Aspen Building represents a compelling entry point into Oxford's expanding life sciences sector. Founded by the late Sir Martin and Lady Audrey Wood in 1985, The Oxford Trust has spent four decades building the foundation for what could become Europe's next major science and technology hub.
People mentioned:
- Steve Burgess, Chief Executive Officer, The Oxford Trust
- Mark Beard, Chair, Beard Construction
- Sam Payne, Project Manager, Beard Construction
- Dave Fisher, Commercial Manager, Beard Construction
- John Boyle, Chair of Trustees, The Oxford Trust
- Nicki Campling, Director of Innovation and Operations, The Oxford Trust
- Francesca MacLennan, Director of Education & Engagement, The Oxford Trust
- Wayne Dobbins, Director, ADP
- Trudy Tsang, Architect, ADP
- Roger Prior, Associate Director, Gleeds
- Andy Bramwell, Project Director, Gleeds
- Dean Averies, Director, Beard Construction
- Sir Martin Wood, Late Co-founder, The Oxford Trust
- Lady Audrey Wood, Co-founder, The Oxford Trust
Companies mentioned:
- The Oxford Trust (charity promoting science education and innovation)
- Beard Construction (construction partner)
- Science Oxford (STEM education programmes)
- ADP (architects)
- Gleeds (project management)
- Carter Jonas (property consultancy)
- BSG Ecology (ecological consultancy)
- Landshape (landscape architecture)
- Glanville (engineering consultancy)
- Sylva Trees (forestry consultancy)
- CPW (consultancy)
- Bioarchitech (science company, tenant)
- DJS Antibodies (science company, tenant)
- PicturaBio (science company, tenant)
- Helio Display Materials (science company, tenant)
- Jack Fertility (science company, tenant)
- Lumai (science company, tenant)
- Barclays Eagle Labs (incubator, tenant)
- Oxford Hospital Charity (tenant)
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