Design plans submitted for new Headington hospital building

Oxford University is seeking planning permission from the city council to introduce a modular manufacturing building at the Churchill Hospital site in Headington.

The 2293 sqm development would act as an extension to the existing Clinical Biomanufacturing Facility (CBF) and assist in making medical equipment as part of a "key link in the chain between the academics and the trials that will develop future drugs and vaccines".

The new design. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

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A planning paper describes this as an "important social benefit to the proposal" and adds: "The academic research, trials and teaching the applicant undertakes at its sites in Headington play a crucial role in the life science sector so key to the modern Oxford economy."

New revised designs for the hospital were submitted last week and they supersede designs which were initially submitted in September 2023.

Proposed site plan. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

They also incorporate information about a proposed site plan which includes cleanrooms, support rooms, offices, water closets and an electrical plant, among other facilities.

The site is currently vacant brownfield scrubland and principally the development is intended to provide two independently operated, cGMP-compliant Grade C cleanroom manufacturing laboratories, together with support areas of lower grade rooms including a QC laboratory and a Production support room.

Churchill Hospital.

Some objections have been raised to the proposal, particularly in relation to fen wildlife, including from Headington Heritage, which has submitted detailed comment.

Headington Heritage said: "The CBF Site area is critical to the North Fen, forming the greatest, and most sensitive, hydrological contribution supplying calcareous water with the greatest calcite concentration, from the highest and steepest part of the water table to the Lye SSSI."

It says "release of chemicals (PCBs) during exposure and removal of contaminated made ground are dangerous to both humans and the Lye Fen", among other concerns.

Ramsay Road householder Mike Boon added: "I understand that Oxford needs to develop its scientific work. But that should not be at the cost of our special green environments, such as Lye Valley, within the city.

Headington. (Image: Google Maps.)

"These are vital to the health and wellbeing of our citizens. There has recently been housing development near Lye Valley, and it appears that this unique treasure is being chosen for environmental abuse. You may not understand the ecology of the site, but please appreciate that the land around Lye Valley needs to be protected."

A Biodiversity Net Gain assessment suggests "an overall net gain in biodiversity can be achieved over the existing situation".

A planning covering letter, from application agent Savills, concludes: "The applicant is confident that no adverse impacts will occur as a result of this proposal but if any are identified, these are considered to be minor and far outweighed by the benefits."

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About the author

Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county. 

She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.

Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi