Science & Technology

The sale follows the building's repositioning as a specialist life sciences facility.

The council has approved plans submitted by The Crown Estate in partnership with Pioneer Group and Oxford Science Enterprises to transform the former Debenhams department store into a science and technology hub.

Shareholder approval for the the cash-and-share deal was almost unanimous, with 96.3% voting in favour.

The latest in a string of deals takes British Land and Royal London Asset Management's recently completed, central London science-focused scheme to 77% let.

The scheme will provide around 1m sq ft of research and lab space, plus 220 affordable homes for key workers, as part of the London Cancer Hub district in Sutton.

BGO and Barts Health NHS Trust's plans for the Whitechapel scheme propose co-locating NHS services, research and office space with new homes, public amenities and green spaces.

British Land’s move to acquire Life Science REIT (LABS) and its five remaining assets may represent a minor addition to the larger firm’s portfolio, but it underscores its thinking in the life sciences sector. Namely, that there’s not much life in life sciences.

According to chief executive Simon Carter, the deal "underlines our confidence in the long-term occupational fundamentals of the science and technology sector".

The 170,000 sq ft development on Cavell Street is intended to set the tone for a new model of NHS-embedded innovation spaces.

Cambourne Park Science and Technology Campus in Cambridge saw the most significant valuation fall.

The proposals for the Paddington Hub scheme include around 525,000 sq ft of mostly clinical life sciences and clinical trials space on the site of the former Imperial College Medical School.

A report from the Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board says speeding up delivery of the new railway line could help propel further growth, as "knowledge-intensive" firms expand across the region.

Rory MacGregor will lead the company's EMEA science and innovation team, which provides strategic advice to occupiers, investors and developer clients across the innovation sectors.

The housing secretary has approved plans to turn retail park The Beehive Centre into tech workspace, labs, shops, cafes, a park and community space.

The initiative aims to create 9,000 homes, 3.7m sq of industrial space and 312,000 sq ft of offices between Wigan and Bolton.

The revised plans, submitted by Oxtec Developments, comprise 179,348 sq ft of units tailored to the needs of various science and technology occupiers.

The London innovation district with consent for 2m sq ft of life sciences space has launched a new strategy.

The joint venture has unveiled plans to redevelop 100 Wellington Street to provide 44,500 sq ft of flexible workspace.

Located on the eastern side of the park, the firm plans to convert it into a laboratory and write-up space for early-stage innovation businesses in the South East.

A general meeting will be held on 24 November at which shareholders will vote on the plan to sell the REIT's assets and wind up the company.

British Land head of campuses Mike Wiseman tells Jamie Bennett-Ness about the revamp of London’s One Triton Square.