Oxford University is preparing to submit plans to create a £800m new-look science area in South Parks Road.

The scheme is set to rival in scale and cost the massive redevelopment of the former Radcliffe Infirmary site into a new university quarter – bringing the total of major investments by the university to more than £1bn.

The crammed science area bordering the University Parks would be transformed and pedestrianised, with the creation of new science facilities and courtyards.

The university is proposing to create “a new arrival space” at the Natural History Museum, with a route into the science area opened up along the north side of the museum.

A central spine through the middle of the site would link Parks Road with the University Parks. Existing car park spaces would be phased out.

The university says only the best of the existing structures will survive, while promising to recruit the best architectsfor the new buildings.

The site incorporates the ‘Keble Triangle’, another densely developed science area next to Keble College, on the other side of Parks Road, which will be cleared of its 1960s walkways.

University spokesman Matt Pickles said: “We are currently finalising our sustain- ability strategy. We hope to go back to the city council with our updated masterplan in the new year.

“The redevelopment of the Science Area represents a huge transformation of the already world-leading research and teaching of science at Oxford University. The new buildings will provide researchers with state-of-the-art facilities, allowing scientists to broaden the type and quality of their research.”

The university said the funding was coming from non-Government sources such as research trusts, benefactors and its Oxford Thinking fundraising campaign.

The university has already opened a £49m biochemistry building and a new £28m Earth Sciences Building in South Parks Road, to house 300 scientists. It has since got planning permission for a new £165m chemistry department, also in South Parks Road, and for a £34m physics building opposite Keble College.

The construction projects are expected to secure hundreds of jobs for the city, with at least 600 people working on the chemistry building alone.

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