Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire (www.harwellcampus.com) has announced that it has been granted planning permission by Vale of the White Horse District Council for “the largest business-focused construction project” in the site’s 79-year history. The science and innovation cluster is to add a further 400,000sq ft of commercial development.

A spokesman said: “The 25 acres of new development will kick-start the broader reshaping and expansion of the campus to cater for the new companies that will be coming into the area.”

There will be new offices, laboratories, a gym and café space. Construction will begin in June and finish in the second quarter of 2017.

Harwell Campus director Angus Horner said the scheme will further consolidate its position as an “international centre of excellence in technology and business innovation”. He added: “Harwell’s world-leading facilities and collaborative community attract businesses and entrepreneurs from multiple sectors, including space and health-care. This project supports researchers and industry seeking accelerated product development.

Oxfordshire’s ‘knowledge economy’ is tremendously productive right now, with Harwell acting as a key player in vital R&D and business innovation.” Meanwhile, planning permission has been granted for the first large-scale industrial and warehouse scheme in Bicester for more than 15 years. Developer Albion Land said the Link 9 scheme will comprise up to 520,000ft2 of buildings on a 36-acre site.