Willmott Dixon’s net zero skills have been chosen by Oxfordshire County Council to deliver a new headquarters building at Speedwell House.

The council is relocating from its current premises at County Hall in Oxford to a new four-storey home at Speedwell House, also in Oxford.

Before this happens, Willmott Dixon will extend and redevelop Speedwell House to create a 5,200m2 ‘net zero in operation’ office.

The company has been procured through the National Procure Partnerships framework for the project after the county council’s cabinet agreed in January 2024 to move its headquarters to Speedwell House in 2027.

It allows the council to move into modern, net-zero accommodation, which in turn will enable its former home at County Hall to be re-imagined by a new owner as part of the regeneration of the West End of the city centre of Oxford.

Councillor Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We believe that our decisions at County Hall and Speedwell House will improve the delivery of services and will help with the physical, social and economic regeneration of Oxford.

“We will use the move to stimulate this ambitious thinking for the city and the county as a whole.”

Willmott Dixon will start work to extend Speedwell House and add extra floors in 2025, once designs are complete.

The firm has worked on other projects for building new or refurbishing existing building environments to become net zero in operation.

Recent examples include the Bridgend College redevelopment, a new campus for Wigan & Leigh College and the TBC.London development that will be net zero in operation when complete.

Richard Poulter, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the south said: “We’re excited to be working with Oxfordshire Country Council to take forward its vision for a new future at Speedwell House.

“Being involved early will enable us to help develop plans that deliver on their net zero ambitions at the best possible value.

“We 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 Centre, and Hinksey Outdoor Pool. We’ll be taking the skills and learning from here to Speedwell House.”