Plans for major Oxford computer centre to boost local economy by £1 billion a year
The EXOq centre hopes to become a home for global research
Oxford University's Exeter College is moving forward with plans to establish a quantum computing centre that could position the UK at the forefront of global research.
A planning application has been submitted to Cherwell District Council for the creation of EXOq, a centre dedicated to research and development in quantum computing.
The site is proposed to be located within parkland at the at the western gateway to the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, near Oxford Parkway Station.
The application follows public consultation involving feedback from over 230 people.
According to early analysis, EXOq could contribute approximately £1.4 billion annually to the UK economy, including nearly a billion in direct benefits to the local area.
The development is expected to generate about 7,000 jobs, with around 4,600 based in Cherwell District.
The plans also include an on-site Further Education College aimed at providing training and increasing local employment opportunities.
The proposed site offers connectivity via pathways and routes near Oxford Parkway Railway Station.
EXOq aims to be the first of its kind in the UK, combining quantum computing with classical high-performance computing and AI technologies.
Research at EXOq would cover various fields, such as climate science, particle physics, and medical research.
Additional community benefits include a new 34-acre country park with amenities for Kidlington residents, improving connectivity with local footpaths and cycle routes.
Plans feature residential apartments, a café, and community spaces, with infrastructure designed for flood risk management.
A proposed low-carbon heating system will use hot water from data centres to potentially heat Oxford and surrounding areas sustainably.
Dr Andrew Roe CB, Rector of Exeter College, discussed the project's impact: "This strategic development represents a significant investment in both national capability and the local community.
"As the UK moves to build sovereign AI infrastructure, EXOq offers a unique opportunity to place world-class compute capacity at the heart of one of the world’s greatest research ecosystems.”
Nick Badman, Finance and Estates Bursar of Exeter College, said: "EXOq has the potential to play a role in helping turn quantum technologies into an integral part of the compute landscape. The ambition is for EXOq to become the leading quantum ecosystem in Europe."