The Eco Business Centre, Bicester

Project value: £4m

Client satisfaction: 9/10

Local labour within 40 miles: 70%

Local spend within 40 miles: 66%

SME spend: 99%

SME engagement: 91%

Social value generated on every £ spent: £1.67

All the Kier team assigned to the project have been focused on delivering quality. This is evident in the collaborative approach enjoyed in project team meetings."

Jonathan MacWilliam

Cherwell District Council

The Eco Towns Planning Policy Statement (PPS) identified NW Bicester as one of four Eco towns to be developed nationally in 2009.

The land at NW Bicester was identified as a strategic allocation in the emerging Cherwell Local Plan and Bicester Masterplan.

The aim of the project was to deliver a facility appropriate to support the creation of jobs within the eco-development and accommodate business start-ups and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) as part of the economic strategy supporting NW Bicester’s Eco-Town exemplar phase.

The key criteria for the Eco Business Centre is to deliver:

Employment space for between 110 and 140 jobs
Managed space for start-up businesses focused on innovation and the emerging low-carbon economy
Provision for business support/coaching/mentoring and advice
A highly sustainable zero carbon building (BREEAM Excellent) using best practice methods of construction and ecodevelopment worthy
A focal point for the development and integral part of the local centre
A hub for homeworkers and visitors to the site
Facilities for the local community and entrepreneurs to support the emerging green economy
Superfast broadband

There were considerable challenges to navigate in order to achieve Passivhaus Plus along with the BREEAM excellent certification and The Eco Business Centre is the first non-residential building to be awarded both.

99%

SME spend

BREEAM

Excellent certificate

9/10

Client satisfaction