FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Oxfordshire County Council to deliver its highly sustainable new headquarters building at Speedwell House in Oxford.
The council is relocating from its current premises at County Hall, also in Oxford, to a new four-storey home at Speedwell House, which prior to the move, will be extended and redeveloped by Willmott Dixon to create a 5,200m2 ‘net zero in operation’ office.
Willmott Dixon has been procured through the National Procure Partnerships framework for the project after the county council’s cabinet agreed in January 2024 to move its headquarters to Speedwell House in 2027. It allows the council to move into modern, net-zero accommodation, which in turn will enable its former home at County Hall to be re-imagined by a new owner as part of the regeneration of the West End of the city centre of Oxford.
Willmott Dixon will start work to extend Speedwell House and add extra floors in 2025, once designs are complete.
Councillor Dan Levy, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for finance, commented: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us not only to create a modern carbon-neutral office and a welcoming and comfortable space for our employees, councillors and residents, but also to help transform this part of the city and better support those using the area.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the new offices take shape and to moving in during early 2027.”
Richard Poulter, MD for Willmott Dixon in the South said: “We’re excited to be working with Oxfordshire Country Council to take forward its vision for a new future at Speedwell House. Being involved early will enable us to help develop plans that deliver on their net zero ambitions at the best possible value.
“We recently completed a series of decarbonisation projects for Oxford City Council at four leisure centres: Ferry Leisure Centre, Leys Pool and Leisure Centre, Barton Leisure Centre, and Hinksey Outdoor Pool. We’ll be taking the skills and learning from here to Speedwell House.”
