Savills' Head of Science at our Oxford forum

Above: CGI of canal-side new homes on the Oxford North development (from Oxford North / Thomas White Oxford)

Savills' Head of Science, Tom Mellows, will be speaking about the important Oxford North development that aims to provide new housing and science workspace for the city.

Future Cities Forum will be discussing the growth of science districts, joined up housing and sustainable transport, as the city's ambitions expand to keep pace with the competing science developments in the 'golden triangle' of Cambridge, London and Oxford and also from international rivals in the USA and China.

Hill Group has recently announced that the green light has been given to deliver the first 317 homes at the new Oxford North development on the edge of the city, where it is hoped science companies will invest to grow their business. With outline planning permission for Oxford North's overall masterplan granted in March 2021 for 480 new homes across the project, Hill made the application for the detailed design of the first homes on Canalside, south of the A40.

There will be a mix of private and affordable new homes with air source heat pumps, electric car charging points and cycle storage. The homes will be designed around a central landscaped park complete with play areas, meadow grassland, and an activity lawn. Construction is due to start this winter and provide a boost to the local economy as part of Oxford North's 'Training, Employment and Skills Strategy'.

Tom has worked in the national offices team since 2005 and advises a wide range of landlords and occupiers on the disposal, acquisition and development of office and laboratory space across the UK.

His clients include recognised property investors and developers such as Legal & General, U+I, Clearbell and Abstract Group as well as large corporates such as Kia Motors, Black & Veatch and Anadarko. His knowledge and expertise developed since graduating from Oxford Brookes in 1996 adds value for his clients and assists them in making optimum business decisions.