Oxfordshire County Council has engaged Willmott Dixon for a significant redevelopment project.
- The new headquarters will be housed in the revamped Speedwell House on Speedwell Street, Oxford.
- County Hall is anticipated to play a key role in the regeneration of Oxford’s West End.
- Aiming for a ‘net zero in operation’ status, Willmott Dixon will commence work in 2025.
- The project leverages insights from Oxford City Council’s earlier decarbonisation initiatives.
Oxfordshire County Council has appointed Willmott Dixon to undertake a major transformation of its office facilities by revamping Speedwell House. The council plans to relocate its headquarters from the current County Hall to Speedwell House, also owned by the council, by 2027. This strategic move is a part of an ambitious plan to foster the socio-economic regeneration of Oxford’s West End.
Before the relocation, substantial refurbishment is planned for Speedwell House to ensure that the new headquarters meets the ‘net zero in operation’ criteria. Spearheading this project, Willmott Dixon is set to start construction in 2025, following the completion of design phases. The funding for these extensive renovations is expected to come from the sale or leasing of the existing County Hall premises.
Willmott Dixon’s role has been secured through the National Procure Partnerships framework, highlighting the structured and accountable approach of Oxfordshire County Council in project execution. The company’s experience with Oxford City Council’s decarbonisation efforts at four local leisure centres is seen as beneficial in achieving the sustainability objectives for Speedwell House.
Richard Poulter, the managing director for Willmott Dixon in the South, emphasised the advantages of early involvement in the project. Poulter stated, “Being involved early will enable us to help develop plans that deliver on their net zero ambitions at the best possible value.” This underlines the commitment to not only meet environmental standards but also to ensure cost-efficiency.
Council leader Liz Leffman expressed optimism regarding the project, highlighting its potential to enhance service delivery and contribute to Oxford’s revitalisation. She remarked on the broader implications of these decisions for the city and county, stating: “We believe that our decisions at County Hall and Speedwell House will improve the delivery of services and will help with the physical, social and economic regeneration of Oxford.”
This redevelopment marks a critical step towards sustainable urban transformation in Oxfordshire.
