Plan for new Oxford science lab at Hythe Bridge Street

The proposals are being put forward by applicant Forge Bio GP 2 LTD for land at Beaver House and buildings at 39-42A Hythe Bridge Street in Oxford.

Under the plans, the existing 1970s Beaver House building, used as office space, would be demolished alongside the two restaurants next door.

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The new Life Science Facility would be known as 'Bridge Labs' adjacent to the Oxford rail station.

Some neighbours have already weighed in with their concerns around the application which was first listed on the city council website last month.

Objector and Oxford householder Steve Clark said: "Five-storey is much higher than the period building opposite or even the modern buildings next to them.

Beaver House. (Image: Newsquest.)

"The increasing height of modern buildings is ruining the architectural skyline of the city."

A planning paper insists Bridge Labs will aim to help strengthen Oxford’s position at the centre of life science development and "respond to the demand for life science lab space in the city".

It adds: "The project aims to transform Beaver House into Bridge Labs, a state-of-the-art Life Science Facility which offers flexible lab and office space.

"Alongside new business space, Bridge Labs will deliver high quality public space improvements, which include a new café, enlarged and enhanced public realm and a community garden.

"The development will create a new local hub where people can collaborate and innovate in a modern environment, which complements the city’s history and future."

Another objector and Oxford resident, Katie Doorley, added: "The existing buildings are not an eyesore.

"What's proposed is not in keeping with the area.

"I really object to tearing down our city even more and replacing it with designs that do not fit or match the face of what's left of our city."

Frideswide Square near Beaver House and the rail station.

The applicant says the existing Beaver House building "clashes with its historic setting" and "provides an uninviting arrival experience into Oxford".

The applicant concluded: "Our vision is that Bridge Labs will play a key role in helping Oxford remain at the cutting edge of life science development in the ‘Golden Triangle’ area between Oxford, Cambridge and London.

"The ‘Golden Triangle’ is an area of innovation in the Life Science sector, encouraging economic growth and development and a cluster of both international and local start-up companies.

"Life sciences is one of the UK’s most productive sectors covering a broad spectrum of sub-sectors, from biotech and pharma to medtech and digital health.

"Bridge Labs will create up to 800 jobs, increasing the local work force and keeping skilled professionals in Oxford."