Investing in Botley Road

Details of the submitted proposals can be found throughout this website under the ‘Our proposals’ tab, but a summary of the key changes to the scheme following consultation is as follows:

• Removing a storey from the eastern elevation, and further setting back the plant screens
• Reducing flue and enclosure heights across the scheme to improve long distance views
• Changing the articulation of the structure to improve the visual appearance of the exterior
• Refining the colour and materiality of the scheme to soften its impact on its surrounding environment
• In response to overlooking concerns, reducing the glazing to the north and east elevations, and the eastern terrace will no longer be publicly accessible
• Adding more glazing at ground level to create a more welcoming environment and put the ‘science on show’
• Reducing car parking on site further, down to 74 spaces from the existing 158. 25 per cent of the spaces will have EV charging
• Phasing in car-club spaces for use by the community
• Increasing the number of trees and planting substantially. The site will achieve a biodiversity net gain for habitat of 119 per cent and for hedgerows of 234 per cent
• Making a commitment to be Oxford’s first Living Wage Building
• Introducing a Employment Plan and Education Plan to facilitate integration into Oxford and Vale of White Horse employment and education services
• Committing to work with schools, colleges and other stakeholder groups to inspire and encourage interaction with STEM activity within the building
• Adding acoustic pods and meeting areas for the café and publicly accessible areas of the building to help people not employed on the site access flexible working spaces