The council is moving from its current premises at County Hall in Oxford, which will be sold to fund the major Speedwell Street office upgrade project.

These Speedwell offices have provided town center accommodation to the council in addition to the town hall for many years.

Willmott Dixon will expand with additional floors and redevelop Speedwell House to create a 5,200 m2 “net zero in operation” office.

Existing Speedwell Street office complex

Work is expected to begin in mid-2025, using sustainable technologies including air source heat pumps.

The designs for Speedwell House include a new council chambers and coroner’s court in a modern, fit-for-purpose and accessible building.

Net zero headquarters overhaul plan for council

Councilor Dan Levy, cabinet member for finance at Oxfordshire County Council, added: “This is a unique opportunity for us to not only create a modern, carbon neutral office.

“We look forward to seeing the new offices take shape and move in in early 2027.”

Richard Poulter, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the South, said: “We have recently completed a series of decarbonisation projects for Oxford City Council at four leisure centres: Ferry Leisure Centre, Leys Pool and Leisure Centre, Barton Leisure Center and Hinksey Outdoor Pool. We will bring the skills and learning from here to Speedwell House.