A DEAL has been struck for Oxford University to buy the Park Hospital site to develop a medical science centre, it was announced yesterday.

Four new laboratories are planned for the seven-acre site in Headington, with a multi-storey car park.

Headington city councillor Ruth Wilkinson said earlier that traffic congestion and parking would be key concerns for residents.

The university has submitted an outline planning application for the site after agreeing to buy it from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health care.

The complex is set to take 30 years to complete. The 126-year-old main hospital building will continue to be used by the NHS on a 20-year lease.

The university wants to incorporate the site into its neighbouring Old Road campus. Once the new labs are completed, nearly 3,000 staff could be employed there, including existing staff at Old Road.

Prof Rodney Phillips, of the medical sciences division, said: “The site offers great prospects for expanding the university’s world-leading medical research but, just as importantly, we expect it to benefit local people.

“Patients at the nearby hospitals will have first access to clinical trials and new drugs.”