Crown Estate buys farmland near Oxfordshire science hub

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

The Crown Estate has bought a 221-acre farmland site next to the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.

The Crown Estate, which manages the royal family's property holdings, has bought a 221-acre farmland site next to the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus near Chilton in Oxfordshire. The purchase is part of a £1.5 billion pledge to invest in the science sector. The site, known as Harwell East, is planned for development into 4.5 million square feet of office, laboratory and manufacturing space alongside up to 400 new homes.

The Harwell campus is home to facilities operated by companies including vaccine-maker Moderna and the UK Space Agency. More than 50 organisations have joined the hub in the past two years. The Crown Estate said there was a lack of space for early-stage businesses in locations such as Oxford, making it harder for them to stay and expand in the UK.

Dan Labbad, chief executive of the Crown Estate, said: 'The UK's science, innovation and technology community is pushing the boundaries of progress in areas from AI to advanced manufacturing. But they need the specialised lab facilities and housing to realise potential.' The Crown Estate is working to secure planning permission to build on the area.

How it is being reported

• Royal family firm buys farmland with major plansThe royal family owned Crown Estate bought a plot of land next to a major science hub in Oxfordshire as part of a pledge to plug £1.5 billion into the sector.Oxford Mail · 17 Oct, 05:00
• Royal family firm buys farmland with major plansThe royal family owned Crown Estate bought a plot of land next to a major science hub in Oxfordshire as part of a pledge to plug £1.5 billion into the sector.Oxfordshire Guardian · 17 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Crown Estate · Harwell Science and Innovation Campus · Moderna · UK Space Agency · Harwell East · Oxfordshire · Chilton · Dan Labbad

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