Planning approved for major new science and leisure destination in Oxford
Pioneer Group, a specialist life science infrastructure and venture building business, and Firoka, a hospitality and real estate group, have secured unanimous resolution to grant planning permission for the transformation of Ozone Leisure Park in Oxford.
The decision marks a major milestone for Ozone Oxford, a new mixed-use campus that will bring together research, workspace, leisure and community facilities on the existing Ozone Leisure Park site.
It follows planning approval granted earlier this year for Pioneer Group's redevelopment of 1–12 Magdalen Street, the former Debenhams building in Oxford city centre. Together, the two projects represent an important step towards creating the infrastructure needed for science and technology companies to start, scale and remain in Oxford.
Ozone Oxford will deliver approximately 500,000 sq ft of specialist laboratory and office space, helping to meet demand for high-quality research facilities in one of the world's leading science and innovation clusters.
It will also provide new leisure and amenity space for the local community, including a dedicated leisure building and new places to meet, eat and spend time. A defining feature of the scheme is the restoration and adaptive reuse of the Grade II* listed Minchery Farmhouse, bringing the historic building back into use as a pub and social venue overlooking a new Priory garden.
James Latham, Director at Pioneer Group, said: “Planning approval is an important milestone for Ozone Oxford and for our continued work supporting the growth of the UK’s science and technology sector.
Ozone Oxford will create a place where researchers, businesses and the wider community can connect. Alongside new employment space, the development will bring forward leisure and amenity facilities valued by the local community, creating long-term benefit for Oxford.
Ozone Oxford is expected to create thousands of jobs, while contributing to the wider growth of Oxford’s science and technology economy.