A VISION for the future of Milton Park over the next 20 years has now been revealed.
MEPC which owns the business park near Didcot, has revealed its 2040 Vision plans, which have the potential to bring the working population total to 20,000.
The plan has been produced after extensive 12-month community, occupier and stakeholder engagement and research.
The 20-year masterplan will create a neighbourhood-style campus for all types of businesses and shift current perceptions around the role of typical UK business parks.
Milton Park is currently home to over 250 companies, employing 9,000 people, including fast-growing Oxford University spinouts such as biotech unicorn Immunucore and fusion energy pioneer Tokamak Energy, which spun out of the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy.
Philip Campbell, commercial director at MEPC, said: "The Milton Park 2040 Vision has been a fantastic project to work on. It has been amazing to work with so many great people to make it happen.
“One of the most important things for us was engagement with occupiers and the local community – ensuring we created a shared vision.
"The research undertaken by Perkins + Will as part of the process has been second to none and has really pathed the way to these emerging plans.
READ AGAIN: Milton Park IT company marks 15th anniversary“We’re looking forward to working through the connectivity and development phases over the coming months and years.
"And to creating a place for businesses to continue to thrive but also a place to be enjoyed by the local community.
“With ongoing engagement and regular monitoring, together with the community and local authorities, we can create the next innovation district of the future.
"We’ve worked closely with these groups already, and I would like to thank them for their immense contribution towards shaping the future Vision of Milton Park, which will benefit the whole of Oxfordshire.”
MEPC worked with global master planning experts Perkins+Will to create the vision, which is set to transform one of the UK’s leading science and technology parks into a global hub of innovation.
The plans will eventually bring the total sq ft at the park to over four million sq ft, all within its existing Local Development Order planning boundary.
The LDO status will play an important part in the 2040 Vision plans as it streamlines the planning permission process, allowing applications within certain parameters to be approved within 10 days.
READ AGAIN: More staff at Milton Park choose green travel optionsOlder units and earmarked development land across the site will be replaced overtime with refurbished office, laboratory, high-tech and amenity space, including potential plans for a sports facility.
The 2040 Vision Masterplan will make more efficient use of the existing 300-acre site, with 41 per cent of new space focused on creating world-leading labs.
The Vision plans will be set around walkable neighbourhood environments that prioritise accessibility, connectivity and wellbeing.
Perkins+Will focused on six key design principles to establish the 2040 Vision over the next 20-25 years.
READ MORE: Revamped pub is first port of call for music fansPeter Baird, associate at Perkins+Will, said: “Business parks need to evolve to keep up with demographic, economic and social changes.
"MEPC’s desire to overhaul outdated perceptions has allowed us to rethink everything and masterplan a new district that can encourage innovation and wellness; acting as a hub for world-leading talent.”
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