FAQs

We have applied for planning permission to redevelop the current DFS and Carpetright site on Botley Road (employment use).

The site will be regenerated by MSci, a joint venture between Mission Street and BentallGreenOak, a real estate investment group. Mission Street is an experienced specialist investor, operator and developer of focused on the delivery of research and innovation facilities and high-quality jobs.

Our proposals for this site are being developed by our design and project delivery team, made up of talent from leading organisations including NBBJ, Barton Willmore (now Stantec) and Fira Landscape. This represents a “best in class” approach to architecture, engineering, sustainability, landscaping and public realm.

Oxford’s successful R&D economy needs more space – especially within walking distance of the city centre and the station – and these proposals respond to that demand.

As it stands, the existing site delivers little for the surrounding area and the ‘big box’ retail units currently here are not in tune with modern shopping trends and what customers want. There is an opportunity to make better use of the site and to reduce the large amount of car parking to encourage more active travel.

This scheme would be a £100m investment into Oxford.

The new development will be high quality science and innovation space used intended to be able to be used for a wide variety research and development work. It aims to attract innovative tenants from across the life sciences lifecycle – from discovery to research and manufacturing.

The redevelopment will transform the landscape of the site, increasing the green space, providing major biodiversity improvements and enhancing the character and look of the area.

We will also be creating a new publicly accessible café for the use of the community, and significantly improving local connectivity with new cycle and pedestrian routes.

The main vehicle, pedestrian and cycle entrances to the site will be via Botley Road and Lamarsh Road, with new connections created through the site for pedestrians and cyclists.

We will work to keep any impact of construction vehicles to a minimum throughout the development process. We are also improving the access and connectivity to and through the site to reduce parking, encourage active sustainable transport (such as walking and cycling) and to minimise the need for car travel.

From the start, the designers looked for ways to make the most of the space to bring greenery into the site and increase the amount of attractive, usable landscaped space. We developed our thinking in consultation with the Environment Agency to ensure designs and plant choices take into account potential periodic flooding.

Our proposals recognise Oxford’s declared climate emergency and the role new development must play in securing a net zero future.

All air quality measures and venting will be governed by UK standards and regulation, as required by law.