Life science campus planned for Stevenage

A joint venture between UBS Asset Management and Reef Group are planning to develop land in Stevenage to create one of Europe’s largest clusters for life science companies.

The JV has acquired 33 acres of land from GSK to build an estimated 130,000m² of laboratory and office facilities, providing space for up 5,000 new skilled jobs.

GSK’s site already hosts global research and development facilities.

Subject to planning, construction work for the new campus could begin in 2024, with parts of the scheme open for business by the following year.

Olivia Drew, Portfolio Manager of Real Estate at UBS Asset Management, said: “The delivery of the new life science campus will leverage years of unparalleled experience across both UBS and Reef.

“The buildings have been carefully designed to be at the cutting edge of sustainability and will facilitate world-leading R&D and advanced manufacturing. The new campus will support thousands of new jobs and boost the UK’s position as a global life sciences leader.”