Part of Vodafone site to become science park

Part of the site of a Vodafone headquarters is going to be turned into a new science park backed by Saudi investors.

Oval Real Estate has officially begun the redevelopment of The Connection, a more than 38-acre business campus in Newbury, Berkshire.

The project aims to transform the site into a business, innovation and life sciences hub along the M4 corridor, with completion anticipated in March 2026, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Head of investment at Oval Real Estate Will Parry said he wanted to establish the site as "one of the premier business and innovation parks along the M4 corridor".

"By integrating sustainable design with state-of-the-art facilities, we aim to foster a vibrant community that supports innovation and growth," he said.

Originally built in 2003 as Vodafone's global headquarters, The Connection comprises seven office buildings in total.

Vodafone still occupies four of them, while Oval Real Estate has started refurbishment of the first of the remaining three, the external campus environment and the park facilities.

It aims to create flexible workspaces designed to attract corporate tenants in sectors such as life sciences, research and development, and technology companies.

It will also have a fitness centre, a sunken garden, and a café with outdoor seating.

The surrounding landscaped grounds will be remodelled, including the addition of large outdoor meeting pods.

The project is backed financially by Aljazira Capital.

Chief investment officer Marco Mauri said the site represented an "exceptional opportunity".

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