HUNDREDS of jobs are set to be secured for the city thanks to a £227m scheme to transform the university science area in South Parks Road.

The economic downturn and the prospect of big reductions in Government funding will not deter the university from ploughing on with the biggest building programme in its 800-year history.

The investment will see many of the ageing buildings in the science area replaced in a programme stretching over years.

It coincides with the university’s £600m plans to build a new university quarter on the site of the former Radcliffe Infirmary site.

University spokesman Matt Pickles said: “This will all provide a major boost to the local economy, not least because there are due to be 600 people working on the chemistry site alone. So it is going to create jobs.

“In addition, inside the new building support staff may be recruited from the local jobs market, as well as staff responsible for its daily running.

“The local economy too will benefit from the enhancement of Oxford’s reputation as a world-leading university, and all that goes with that in attracting students and tourists.”

The news comes as thousands of jobs in Oxfordshire are expected to be threatened by next week’s Government spending announcement The proposed new chemistry department in South Parks Road will cost £165m, with at least 600 workers involved in its construction.

This week, the university unveiled its new £28m Earth Sciences Building, also in South Parks Road, to house 300 scientists.

And next year the university is also hoping to see work begin on a new physics department in Parks Road, opposite Keble College, at a cost of £34m.

The scheme will be dubbed the South Parks-Keble Science Triangle, near the University Parks.

The landmark chemistry building will house the largest chemistry department in the western world in both teaching and research, and will contain 46 laboratories. A planning application will be submitted next month.

Plans for both the chemistry department and physics building are to be exhibited in the Town Hall on November 1 along with a masterplan for the whole science area, with work stretching over 20 years.

As dozens of universities face the prospect of rethinking their business models, Oxford is preparing to announce that the university’s Oxford Thinking fundraising campaign has hit the £1bn mark.

Mike Wigg, university acting head of estates, said the redevelopment would create a spine through the science precinct, with a pedestrian route linking the Natural History Museum to the University Parks.

Efforts would also be made to “resolve the conflict” between pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, in an area that has seen serious accidents.

Mr Wigg added: “Oxford is fortunate to benefit from major benefactors who want to put money into buildings.”

He said national contractors would be encouraged to use local businesses wherever possible.

Oxford city councillor Colin Cook said: “We are grateful for the university continuing to invest in its estate in Oxford at a time when construction jobs are under threat as a result of the downturn in the economy. It’s great news for local builders and construction suppliers.”