Oxford Science Centre Plans on Show

Plans for a new science centre in Oxford that'll attract around 150,000 visitors a year are on display.

The £35 million development should create around 100 jobs and host approximately 18 new small hi-tech businesses in an innovation centre.

It'll be the UK’s first integrated Science Discovery and Innovation Centre and called The Magnet. 

An independent economic report estimates it'll bring £161 million to the UK in ten years, of which £128 million will be generated in Oxford.

Planning application will be submitted in December 2012 with a view to obtaining consent by March 2013. If planning is approved construction will start in September 2013 with a view to the Magnet opening summer 2015. 

Science Oxford has bought a 0.5 acre site on which to build. The site is triangular and is bounded by New Road, Tidmarsh Lane and the historic Castle Mound.

Both Macclesfield House and The Register Office will be demolished and replaced with a new three-storey building and basemant designed by Foster + Partners.

A public exhibition is being held on Wednesday Nov 21 at Science Oxford, 1-5 London Place, OX4 1BD, and on Sat 24 at The Oxford Centre for Innovation, New Road, OX1 1BY.

Science Oxford is the public face of the Oxford Trust, a charity founded in 1985, to encourage the study, application and communication of science and technology.