New Crown Estate project at Harwell East aims to drive innovation and growth
King Charles is steering the Crown Estate toward the future with a landmark acquisition in Oxfordshire—a 221-acre plot set to become a major centre for artificial intelligence and scientific innovation. The land, currently farmland, will be transformed into a thriving community featuring 400 new homes, state-of-the-art offices, laboratories, and manufacturing spaces.
Situated beside the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, the new development, known as Harwell East, is part of the Crown Estate’s long-term plan to boost the UK’s science and technology sectors while supporting sustainable growth.
Dan Labbad, Chief Executive of the Crown Estate, described the initiative as a major leap forward for British innovation. “The UK’s science, innovation, and technology community is pushing the boundaries in areas from AI to advanced manufacturing,” he said. “To reach their full potential, they need specialised lab facilities and homes. Harwell East will create the environment for world-class science to flourish, driving regional and national growth.”
The project is part of the Crown Estate’s £1.5 billion investment strategy over the next 15 years, dedicated to advancing science and technology across the UK. With Harwell East, that vision begins to take shape—promising not only cutting-edge research facilities but also a community built for the next generation of innovators.
