Oxford North launches ESG annual report and Social Value Charter for shaping a sustainable future

Oxford North, the new global innovation district in Oxford, has published its 2024 ESG annual report that has reviewed the progress made against its ESG strategy with an ambition to push beyond conventional practice to deliver a ‘net positive’ development and its Charter to ensure that the project, and its future companies based there, will continue to enhance the lives of individuals and achieve positive social outcomes.

The ESG report (environmental, social and governance) has highlighted significant developments by Oxford North Ventures, the joint venture company of Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope.

These have included infrastructure installation, construction of the first phase buildings: The Red Hall and 1 & 2 Fallaize Street, the commencement of the new two-acre public park and market square, and extensive community engagement.

The report has detailed the incorporation of ESG goals into development practices and emphasised transparency in impact reporting. The project has aimed for a 'net positive' outcome across six key pillars which address environmental and social objectives, complete with specific targets and reporting standards.

The six pillars are: Towards net zero, Circular resources, Ecosystem resilience, Healthy places, Connected communities, and Opportunities and shared prosperity.

Highlights have included:

_10% & 7% reduction in embodied carbon of The Red Hall and 1 & 2 Fallaize Street respectively from design to construction

_electric powered buildings and heated by ground source heat pumps and on-roof photovoltaics

_£10.5 million investment in active and public transport routes which has included 1.4 km of new cycle paths along the Witney and Woodstock Roads

_100% construction waste diverted from landfill and 91% recycled or reused.

The social value data reported feeds into the whole masterplan which has included The Hill Group’s Canalside Quarter new homes development.

To date:

_ more than 1,725 construction jobs have been created, of which 18% live in Oxfordshire

_ 49 apprentices have started their careers at Oxford North

_ 636 volunteering hours have been delivered.

The key priorities for 2025/6 have been identified as:

_1. supporting occupiers’ transition into Oxford North and their new labs and office spaces in the most environmentally responsible way possible which will include helpful guidance on how to optimise the energy use of spaces and reduce waste during fit out

_2. building a sense of community on-site and through its partnerships to create social value. This is through Oxford North’s Social Value Charter which provides a vision and action plan on how it will continue to support local communities and economies which will include Oxford North’s art, culture, social value and legacy programme

_3. continuing to measure and monitor during operation, maintaining a high standard for data collection and transparency. This will be via its intelligent building management system to measure energy consumption which can be used to engage with occupiers on their usage and guide them to make improvements

_4. taking learnings from Phase 1a design and construction to feed into future phases.

David Camp, chief executive officer, Stanhope said: “Our ambition is to push beyond conventional practice and to pursue a net positive development. We are creating a low carbon innovation district, following a net zero carbon pathway, employing circular design principles in construction and operation, while creating a climate-resilient and biodiverse district. Our ESG strategy clearly sets out how we work to achieve this and our 2024 annual report details what we have achieved so far and our focus for this year.

“Oxford North provides an amazing opportunity to help grow a community at the forefront of innovation in Oxford. The buildings, landscape and amenities have been carefully designed with sustainability at the core. We look forward to welcoming our occupiers and driving sustainability into operation.”

Simon Ruck, managing director, Oxford North added: “Oxford North is truly about people, shaped over the years by teamwork and meaningful partnerships. Working together is at the heart of our journey towards success measured by positive outcomes for people’s lives and society.

“This spirit of collaboration extends to our Social Value Charter. We know that the built environment has the power to shape our lives in profound ways. By working together as a community, we have a unique opportunity to deliver tangible social impact for our local community and beyond.

“Our Charter builds on the work already completed and provides the connecting link for our community, the project and delivery teams, occupiers and external stakeholders. It clearly defines what we mean by social value, provides targeted opportunities that respond to local need, and states what we need to do to ensure that Oxford North remains a vibrant place that delivers improved economic, social and wellbeing outcomes.”

Oxford North’s Phase 1a began construction in 2023 to form the first three buildings: The Red Hall with the ground floor to provide a cafe-bar, retail units, community space, and co-working spaces and four floors of workspace, along with two laboratory buildings to boost science and technology discovery.

The Witney Road (A40) and Woodstock Road (A44) have been transformed to promote walking, cycling and bus use and a new street has been formed named Thomas White Street. The Hill Group’s first new homes on Canalside Quarter are under construction and have recently welcomed the first new residents.