Politics & Council · Oxford
Oxfordshire County Council accelerates Speedwell House works to hedge against inflation
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Oxfordshire County Council has greenlit an earlier start to redevelopment works at Speedwell House, aiming to mitigate construction inflation while maintaining the project's April 2028 completion date.
Oxfordshire County Council has announced an acceleration of its redevelopment programme for Speedwell House, with cabinet members approving the early release of existing funds. The decision is designed to protect the project budget from the impact of construction cost inflation and to secure long-lead items, such as roofing and window materials, well in advance of their installation.
Speedwell House is set to replace the current County Hall as the council's primary city centre hub. The project, which is fully funded through the proceeds of the impending sale of the County Hall site, remains on track for an official opening in April 2028. The redevelopment aims to provide a flexible, net-zero workspace for staff and councillors, while simultaneously contributing to the wider regeneration of Oxford's southern city centre.
Councillor Dan Levy, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation, confirmed that no additional funding has been requested or granted for these works. He noted that the financial strategy is intended to be both operationally sound and economically prudent, insulating the council from the volatility of material costs.
The scope of the accelerated works includes essential structural alterations, internal strip-outs, comprehensive fabric repairs and necessary fire protection upgrades. These preparations are deemed critical for the building's eventual fit-out.
The council's transition strategy remains fixed, with the move from the existing County Hall site scheduled for late 2026. Following the departure from their current premises, the council will rely on a distributed office model throughout 2027 and early 2028. This temporary arrangement will see staff, the council chamber and the coroner’s court operating from various existing facilities, including Midland House in Botley, until the new hub is fully operational.
The sale of County Hall, confirmed in September 2025, sees the site passing to the global investor and real estate operator L&G, with development duties handled by Reef Origin. This transition marks a significant shift in the council's physical presence within the city, reflecting a broader effort to modernise its operational infrastructure.
Source: Oxfordshire County Council · View original