Research and development building at Plots 23-26 Oxford Science Park, Grenoble Road, Oxford

What was proposed

The proposal would partly demolish and alter existing buildings, add two atriums, and create one research and development building with access, parking and landscaping.

“Proposal Partial demolition, alterations and upward extension to existing buildings and erection of 2no. link atriums to provide 1no. building for research and development (Use Class E). Provision of access, parking and landscaping works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site covers about 3.76 hectares in the Science Park, with trees, a pond, a brook, commercial buildings and nearby residential areas.

“Travel Plan monitoring fee of £3,347.00. 4. COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (CIL) 4.1. The proposal is liable for CIL amounting to £10,965,416.64, subject to any application pursuant to Reg 74B to credit CIL previously paid. 5. SITE AND SURROUNDINGS 5.1. Plots 23-26 extend to approximately 3.76ha. Full planning permission was granted in October 2023 for 3no.”

“Residential development surrounds the site, beyond the Science Park, with the Newman Place development to the west, the Rock Farm development within Sandford to the south and a residential park to the east of Grenoble Road. Land to the south of Grenoble Road has been allocated for a mixed-use scheme including 3000 new homes, an extension to the Science Park, primary and secondary schools, retail and leisure facilities as well as public transport improvements. 5.5.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Permission was granted in 2023 for three laboratory and office buildings, and a 2024 variation changed the undercroft, landscaping and parking.

“Figure 2: Proposed site plan 7. RELEVANT PLANNING HISTORY 7.1. The table below sets out the relevant planning history for the application site: 22/02168/FUL - Erection of 3no. laboratory and office buildings with ancillary commercial uses (all within Use Class E). Provision of associated landscaping…”

“23/02872/VAR - Variation of condition 2 (Approved plans), 14 (Landscape plan), 20 (Underground services - tree roots), 35 (Swept path analysis) and 40 (FRA and Drainage Strategy) of planning permission 22/02168/FUL (Erection of 3no. laboratory and office buildings with ancillary commercial uses (all within Use Class E).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because they considered the proposal acceptable under planning policies, subject to conditions and a legal agreement.

“RECOMMENDATION 1.1. The committee is recommended to: 1.1.1. approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the required planning conditions set out in section 12 of this report and grant planning permission; and subject to: • the satisfactory completion of a legal agreement under section.106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and other enabling powers to secure the planning obligations set out in the recommended heads of terms which are…”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways, flooding, water, the Environment Agency and police raised no objection subject to conditions, while two parish councils objected on visual and residential grounds.

“CONSULTATION RESPONSES 9.1. Site notices were displayed around the application site, including within Sandford-on- Thames on 25 th February 2026 and an advertisement was published in The Oxford Times newspaper on 19 th February 2026. Statutory and non-statutory consultees Historic England 9.2. No comment Littlemore Parish Council 9.3. Objects due to height of building and interruption of the skyline. Clarity sought about distance from grade II listed building. 9.4.”

“Objects due to the overbearing impact on residents within Sandford-on-Thames, construction and operational light pollution and suggests the planting of evergreen trees along the A4074 boundary to mitigate this pollution. Officer response - these matters are dealt with in detail at section 10 below. Oxfordshire County Council (Highways) 9.7. No objection, subject to conditions and S106 obligations. Oxfordshire County Council (Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA)) 9.8.”

Officer report

What residents said

Nine local residents objected because of possible privacy, lighting, daylight, height, character, traffic and biodiversity effects.

“Environment Agency 9.10. No objection, subject to conditions. Thames Valley Police 9.11. No objection. Active Travel England 9.12. Standing advice provided. Public representations 9.13. Nine local residents from Rock Farm Lane, Rock Farm, Batten Place, Henley Road and Keene Close objected to the proposal for the following reasons: • Loss of privacy • Light pollution • Impact on daylight/ sunlight • Height of development • Effect on character of area • Impact on road network…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two speakers spoke in favour of the application.

What members discussed

Members asked about local jobs, tree replacement and parking; officers explained the employment agreement, planting limits and the assessment supporting 34% car use.

“The Committee asked questions about the details of the application which were responded to by officers and the applicant. The Committee’s discussions included, but were not limited to: • Questions were raised regarding employment opportunities for local people and the proportionality of jobs within the facilities.”

“The Planning Officer explained that the Highways Authority had been consulted on the application and as set out in the report, the projected car mode share would be reduced to 34%, representing a significant reduction from the consented scheme and that the applicant’s had robustly justified the level of parking proposed within the submitted Transport Assessment, as required by policy.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee agreed with the officer recommendation to approve the application, subject to conditions and a legal agreement.

“Oxford City Council, Town Hall, St Aldate’s Oxford OX1 1BX On being proposed, seconded, and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application for the reasons set out in the report and subject to conditions and a legal agreement.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved the application, granted delegated authority to finalise conditions and the legal agreement, and issue permission.

“The Oxford City Planning Committee resolved to: 1. Approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the required planning conditions set out in section 12 of this report and grant planning permission; and subject to: • the satisfactory completion of a legal agreement under section.106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and other enabling powers to secure the planning obligations set out in the recommended heads of terms which are set out in…”

“Delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Regulation to: • finalise the recommended conditions as set out in this report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Director of Planning and Regulation considers reasonably necessary; and • finalise the recommended legal agreement under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and other enabling powers including refining, adding to, amending and/or deleting the obligations…”

Minutes