Category: News

Olly Glover MP tours Phase One of construction at Grove Business Park as the shells of the first two buildings – Logica 1 and Logica 2 – are completed in another milestone for the project.

The three new ‘space-for-science’ buildings in Phase One known as Logica 1, Logica 2 and The Ruddock and totalling 87,500 sq ft (8,130 sqm)  will all be available in Summer 2026.

Logica 1 and Logica 2 will provide flexible mid-tech units suitable for a range of uses with space available up to 31,226 sq ft (2,902 sq m). These two buildings are well advanced with a weather-proof shell in place for the internal works to start taking shape.

The flagship Ruddock building is a hybrid style facility specifically designed for Office/Lab/R&D users with space available up to 25,144 sq ft (2,336 sq m).

On one of the wettest and windiest days so far in 2025, plans to top-out The Ruddock by putting the last bolt on the steel framework were shelved, but the team still toured the site and viewed the interiors of the now well-advanced Logica 1 and 2 buildings.

However, the weather couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm for this first phase of what is eventually planned to be a total of 377,000 sq ft (35,000 sq m) of new space, creating a modern hub for life sciences, technology and innovation businesses, with the aspiration to provide up to 2,500 jobs.

Will Lawrie, Head of Property Management at Oxford University Endowment Management Ltd, on behalf of the Oxford Endowment Fund, commented: “We were really pleased to welcome Olly Glover to the Park to share the progress we are making and we’re well on schedule for completion next Summer.  It’s great to see our vision for the Park taking shape and we’re excited about the new opportunities that we are creating in the science and technology sectors.”

Olly Glover, MP for Didcot and Wantage, said; “I was delighted to be invited to tour the site with the development team and to see first-hand the transformation that Grove Business Park is undergoing, where we spoke about the potential of the three new ‘space-for-science’ buildings which will be opening in the summer of 2026. This new innovation hub on a brownfield site is hugely important for Wantage and the wider Oxfordshire Science Vale, with the potential for 2,500 jobs on site.

“It is important that growth is supported by the right infrastructure, which is why I’m continuing to push for a new railway station at Grove. I’m delighted to have the backing of Grove Business Park, as well as the Oxford Endowment Fund for this project, which will create long-lasting benefits for future employees based in Logica 1, Logica 2 and The Ruddock.”

It has been an eventful few weeks with two new official openings at the Park.

LUX launched its new liquid hydrogen test facility, a first-of-a-kind with the aim of supporting the acceleration of a transition to a hydrogen powered economy in the UK.  The testing facility on site is designed to meet the challenge head on, promoting safe, scalable, and commercially viable hydrogen adoption.

In his speech at the launch LUX CEO, Samuel Dallimore thanked Grove Business Park for being so supportive of his plans and providing a great location with a high-spec refurbished unit that offers the ideal environment to enable LUX to develop its technology further amongst a range of other innovation businesses at the heart of Oxfordshire’s Science Vale.

Meanwhile Directors, staff and clients gathered together to celebrate the opening of Croyde Medical’s new headquarters at the Park. The company, which supplies innovative medical devices and furniture to NHS and private hospitals across the UK and internationally, plans to double in size over the next three years, with plans to create new jobs and invest in local talent.

Managing director Stuart Hobin said: “Grove Business Park is a great location for us, and this new, high-spec unit creates the perfect environment and space for us to grow our business.”

Samuel Dallimore, CEO at LUX, and William Lawrie of Oxford University Endowment Management ‘cut the ribbon’ to the new liquid hydrogen test facility

Grove Business Park welcomes one of the UK’s leading maternity equipment suppliers, Croyde Medical as its latest new occupier

As the new development on our growing science and technology hub progresses at pace, we are delighted to welcome new occupier Croyde Medical to the Park.

Croyde Medical will occupy a modern 3,419 sq ft unit to provide its dedicated range of leading maternity, neonatal and temperature-controlled medical equipment. As part of its expansion plans it acquired QED Scientific Ltd last year, so it has now moved into a new base at the Park.

Stuart Hobin, Managing Director of Croyde Medical, is looking forward to the move: “Grove Business Park is a great location for us and the high-spec modern unit will provide the perfect environment and space to grow our business further. We are pleased to be joining the growing science and technology business community at the Park and look forward to being a part of the wider expansion.”

Meanwhile existing occupier Navtech Radar, the award-winning innovator, designer and manufacturer of technologically advanced radar detection systems for automation, safety and security applications has committed to its future at the Park, renewing its lease for its 10,062 sq ft unit for another 5 years.

Grove Business Park is fast becoming a go to location for growing businesses in the science and technology sector and a key destination in the wider Oxfordshire Science Vale.

Jan Losch, a Director of Savills, joint leasing agent at the Park, welcomed the addition: “Both these are a further boost to the growing tenant line-up following clean energy technology company LUX joining earlier in the year.

“It’s no surprise however, as the Park offers ideal space for R&D, Lab and Technology businesses. The Park’s expansion will provide even more opportunities in a vibrant and sustainable campus environment with state-of-the-art facilities for innovation, life sciences and other advanced technology sectors. Phase One is well underway and we are already speaking to businesses about the first 89,500 sq ft, which will become available in Summer 2026.”

Savills and Bidwells are the joint agents for Grove Business Park. The new development underway was designed by SRA Architects and is being development managed by atlp consulting.

As the steel framework rises up on Phase One of the exciting new Innovation, Science and Technology hub, the Park is pleased to welcome Bidwells to join Savills on the agency team.

The full team gathered on site to celebrate the fantastic progress and milestone achieved with construction company Barnwood. From L to R: Jan Losch, Savills; Duncan May, Bidwells; Alastair Thomas, atlp; William Lawrie, OUem; Simon Carey, Barnwood; Paul Arnold, atlp; Holly Dawson, Bidwells, Charles Rowton-Lee, Savills.

Will Lawrie, Head of Property Management at Oxford University Endowment Management Ltd, on behalf of the Oxford Endowment Fund, is delighted by the progress:

“This is a significant milestone to reach in the project and it’s great to see the vision of increased scale, quality and amenity at the Park really coming together, creating new opportunities in the life sciences, innovation and technology sectors.

‘It is also great to now have Bidwells as well as Savills on our agency team to help deliver this evolution of the Park as an important focal point for Wantage and the wider Oxfordshire Science Vale.”

This first phase features three special new buildings providing Technology/R&D/Lab-enabled accommodation totalling 87,500 sq ft (8,130 sqm) to be known as Logica 1, Logica 2 and Sigma.

Logica 1 and Logica 2 will provide flexible mid-tech units suitable for a range of uses with space available up to 31,226 sq ft (2,902 sq m).

Sigma is a hybrid style building suitable for Office/Lab/R&D users with space available up to 25,144 sq ft (2,336 sq m).

The new buildings will all be available in Summer 2026.

Following the announcement of the go-ahead for plans to expand Grove Business Park by up to a further 377,000 sq ft to create a modern hub for life sciences, technology and innovation businesses, the Park has signed up LUX for a 3,000 sq ft R&D/Lab unit.

LUX will occupy a unit within The Quadrangle facility at the Park to develop its production of scalable, ‘on-site-on-demand’ supply of clean liquid hydrogen for the commercial transportation, manufacturing and energy markets in its drive towards alternative renewable fuels and energy generation.

Samuel Dallimore, CEO of LUX, said: “Grove Business Park is a great location for us and the high-spec refurbished unit will provide the perfect environment to enable us to develop our technology further amongst a range of other innovation businesses at the heart of the Oxfordshire Science Vale.”

Jan Losch, a Director of leasing agent Savills, commented: “It’s a real success to welcome another innovation business like LUX to Grove Business Park. The current Park offers ideal space for R&D, Lab and Technology businesses. The new development to expand the Park will provide further opportunities in a vibrant and sustainable campus environment with state-of-the-art facilities for innovation, life sciences and other advanced technology sectors. We are already speaking to businesses about the first phase of 89,500 sq ft, which will become available in Summer 2026.”

The current 260,000 sq ft (24,155 sqm) Park has a history as a base for research and development. It was acquired by The Oxford Endowment Fund in 2022 with an ambition to build upon its undoubted potential and to reinforce its location as a base for a diverse group of some 40 different businesses and organisations, as well as a host of companies at its Boston House Business Centre, that represent a variety of leading industries contributing to innovation and advancement in their respective fields.

Savills is the appointed agent for Grove Business Park.

Plans for 377,000 sq ft (35,000 sqm) of new commercial space at Grove Business Park have been given the go-ahead by the Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxfordshire County Council.  The development will create a modern hub for life sciences, technology and innovation businesses, with the aspiration to provide for up to 2,500 jobs.

The expansion plans include detailed consent for three new buildings providing Technology / R&D / Lab enhanced accommodation totalling 87,500 sq ft (c8,130 sqm) and outline consent for a further 289,500 sq ft (c27,000 sqm) of commercial development and will create new quality employment opportunities.

The plans also encompass enhancements to existing buildings and landscaping, together with providing improved amenities and enhanced access and links.

Enabling works will complete in the Spring, which will be followed by construction of the first three buildings anticipated to complete in Summer 2026.

Grove Business Park is already home to a diverse group of businesses and organisations – as well as a host of companies at its Boston House Business Centre.  They represent a variety of leading industries and contribute to innovation and advancement in their respective fields.

Will Lawrie, Head of Property Management at Oxford University Endowment Management Ltd, on behalf of the Oxford Endowment Fund, welcomed the news:

“The increased scale, quality and amenity of the Park, together with the new investment and job opportunities created in the life sciences, innovation and technology sectors, are vitally important resources that will serve as a commercial focal point for Wantage and the wider Oxfordshire Science Vale.

“The plans prioritise a BREAAM ‘Excellent’ development with enhanced biodiversity, green amenity spaces, pedestrian priorities and improved access and permeability with the neighbouring residential development at Wellington Gate, which will create a vibrant and sustainable campus environment for the future.”

Savills is the appointed agent for Grove Business Park. The scheme was designed by SRA Architects and is being development managed by atlp consulting.

As the application for new development at the Park continues to make good progress through planning, consent has been given to undertake preparatory groundworks on the site at the northern end of the Park.

The independent family-run business has announced it has begun discussions to explore potential new space in the expanded Park.

Grove Business Park has exciting plans to expand and has submitted proposals to the Vale of White Horse District Council to develop 377,000 sqft (c35,000 sqm) of new space to create a life sciences, technology and innovation hub as part of the growing Oxfordshire Science Vale. This is likely to increase the number of people employed on site from to around 600 to potentially almost 2,000.

TFD Health & Fitness, which is celebrating its 20th birthday next February as a key occupier, is an important amenity at Grove Business Park and is keen to be part of this exciting new development.

Since opening in 2004 the successful Health & Fitness Club has developed massively and added a second floor to expand its facilities to now provide not only a full gym, but over 70 classes a week in dedicated fitness and spin studios. There is also a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, an on-site hair salon, a beautician and a sports massage and physiotherapist to serve the widening and growing membership.

The Oxford Endowment Fund acquired the existing 260,000 sqft (24,155 sqm) Business Park last year with an ambition to build upon its undoubted potential and reinforce its status as a key strategic employment site in the Vale of White Horse.

William Lawrie, Head of Property Management at Oxford University Endowment Management Ltd commented:

“As we invest and create new job opportunities at the Park we are keen to support the existing businesses and having a successful health and fitness facility is a terrific amenity for all the employees on site and the wider community. As the Park expands this will provide opportunities for businesses and we are pleased to be talking to TFD about its aspirations.”

Lisa Auchinvole, Owner and Manager of TFD Health & Fitness said:

“This is an exciting time at Grove Business Park. We are keen to explore the potential on how we could improve our facilities further within the new proposals and deliver a health and fitness service for the expanded Park and also for the increasing residential community on our doorstep.

“It is vitally important to us that we maintain our social, friendly and welcoming feel for members and guests and always deliver high standards of customer service with the compassion and fun that sets us aside from others.

“So come and talk to us about your fitness requirements as we look forward to an even healthier and fitter future in the new sustainable business campus environment at Grove Business Park.”

For more information visit: tfdgym.co.uk