Shops on major Oxford route could go in lab space plan

Plans to demolish shops on one of a city's busiest routes and replace them with new laboratory space have been submitted for approval.

Units off Botley Road in Oxford, that currently house high street giants including Currys and Tapi Carpets, would go if British Land's application is approved by Oxford City Council.

It is the latest application to use a site in Botley Road as laboratory space, with other applications approved and others awaiting approval.

The current Johnsons Mazda and Hyundai showrooms near Seacourt Park and Ride could be demolished if a separate application is approved.

British Land said Oxford has just under 1m square feet of lab space, about three times less than Cambridge.

Other plans include potentially using the former Debenhams store in Oxford city centre as a science facility.

Beaver House and 39-42 Hythe Bridge Street, close to the city's train station, will be used for the same purpose after an application was approved in September .

Part of Botley Road has been blocked since April 2023 for work to expand the city's train station.