The Crown Estate has completed the acquisition of Harwell East, a 221 acre site adjacent to the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. The development could deliver up to 4.5 million square feet of laboratory, research, manufacturing and office space, alongside 400 homes. The project is valued at a gross development potential of £4.5 billion and is expected to create 30,000 jobs while contributing £2.5 billion to UK GDP.
The acquisition forms part of The Crown Estate’s plan to invest £1.5 billion in science, innovation and technology space over the next 15 years. It sits at the heart of the Oxford Cambridge Arc, one of the UK’s most significant growth corridors for advanced research, technology and life sciences.
Chief Executive Dan Labbad said the acquisition will help address the shortage of laboratory and mid tech space that currently limits growth for early stage firms. He described Harwell East as a key step toward “creating space for great science to flourish” and ensuring the UK “stays at the forefront of global innovation.”
Science Minister Lord Vallance welcomed the move, calling Harwell “a byword for world class science and innovation.” He said the expansion “will help businesses and innovators tackle the great challenges of our era, from life sciences to clean energy and particle physics.”
The Crown Estate is working with Crucible, led by Angus Horner, to secure planning permission for the development. Harwell East will add to The Crown Estate’s existing science and innovation portfolio, which includes over one million square feet of lab space in Cambridge and Oxford and a joint venture with Lendlease to develop 11 million square feet of workspace, including 4.8 million at Euston Station.
Oxford Science Enterprises CEO Ed Bussey said the Harwell project “will help unlock much needed lab and mid tech space to support scaling science and technology companies.” He added that the partnership “strengthens the UK’s ability to grow and retain world class innovation led businesses.”
Angus Horner described the acquisition as “an exciting commitment by The Crown Estate, doubling down on the multi generational success and world leading science and innovation at Harwell.” He emphasised that the project “is crucial if we are to fully leverage our skills and capabilities to supercharge UK plc and deliver improved social, health and economic wellbeing.”
The Crown Estate’s acquisition at Harwell East signals a long term commitment to developing the UK’s research infrastructure and science economy. It reflects the government’s broader vision for expanding the Oxford Cambridge Arc into a world leading cluster of research, innovation and high tech enterprise.
When complete, Harwell East will provide a mix of labs, advanced manufacturing space and offices designed to meet growing demand for high specification science accommodation. With its combination of scale, proximity to established research centres and public private investment, the development is expected to play a major role in strengthening the UK’s innovation ecosystem and regional economic resilience.
References
- “The Crown Estate acquires Harwell East site, with potential for 4.5 million sq ft of science space,” The Crown Estate
- “Crown Estate and Lendlease formalise £24 billion joint venture,” CoStar News
- “Crown Estate signs JV with Lendlease for six major development projects,” The Business Desk
- “Annual Report 2024: The Crown Estate,” The Crown Estate
- “Oxford Science Enterprises partners with The Crown Estate to expand innovation space,” Oxford Science Enterprises
