OXFORD’s life science sector is calling on the Government for an “urgent response” to a chronic shortage of lab space.

A survey by Oxfordshire Bioscience Network (obn), which represents the industry, found a need for four times as much floor space as exists at the moment.

David Boal, senior director of business development at OBN, warned that although Oxford was earmarked as a Growth Zone in January, as part of the City Deal, action was needed now.

He said: “The Government has made a commitment to more building, but smaller companies make decisions in a short space of time, so speed is of the essence. The sooner there are actual buildings for those people to move into the better.

“Also, what is being built now may meet their needs for two years at a push, but we need a lot more than we are currently planning for.

“If we want this fabulous industry we have on our doorstep to keep growing we have to make sure there’s enough space for firms to expand.”

Oxfordshire has a number of specialised science centres, including the Innovation Centre at Harwell, Begbroke Innovation Centre, Oxford Science Park, Culham Labs and Milton Park.

David Williams, a director of commercial property consultants Meeson Williams Phillips, said: “We are constantly contacted by firms which have lab requirements but there’s virtually no provision in the county. There’s a time lag between the planning and it being ready to occupy.

“At the moment we are in that lag period, where the supply of lab space coming through is going to lag behind.”

Phil Clement, director of the Local Enterprise Partnership Invest in Oxfordshire, said: “There is a widespread consensus among those in the life science community in Oxfordshire that we do need more lab space to fulfil our potential.

“We are promoting Oxford as being a centre for life science, we have the number one university but we need to build facilities.”