Reports

First-stage Report of the Council on the restructuring of space and refurbishment of the basement, ground, and first floors of the Department of Genetics on the Downing site

The Council begs leave to report to the University as follows:

1. In this Report, the Council is seeking approval in principle for the restructuring of space and refurbishment of the basement, ground, and first floors of the Department of Genetics on the Downing site as set out below.

2. The building that is now home to the Department of Genetics was designed by the architect Arnold Mitchell and built in 1910 for the Department of Agriculture. The Department of Genetics has not had any significant refurbishment of space used for research and associated activities in its main building in the last 15 years, and this lack of long-term investment and planning has led to a number of problems, resulting in a space that has not kept pace with the academic needs of the Department. There is a critical need for a significant programme of refurbishment work to accommodate current and imminent appointments, and to remove barriers to the recruitment of planned appointments.

3. The vast majority of the building currently provides space for scientific research, with a mix of small- and medium-sized laboratories and office spaces that have evolved over the years. The result is a patchwork of development that has created some less than ideal adjacencies, cluttered corridors, and compromised space for research.

4. The key objective is to make the Department more efficient and to create an attractive and effective working environment. This improved efficiency will allow growth within the constraints of the existing building footprint whilst providing facilities for funded researchers.

5. The proposals that affect the basement, ground, and first floors are extensive and represent nearly 50% of the total floor area of the building.

6. The proposed refurbishment will provide a mix of wet and dry laboratories, equipment rooms, office space, and meeting rooms, and has the potential to transform the building, with improved daylight penetration into the central circulation spine, to improve views out, and to provide a flexible space for scientific research.

7. The estimated cost of the total project is £3.873m, with £1.75m to come from the Capital Fund and the remainder from School and Departmental sources. No significant incremental running costs are anticipated for the new facilities.

8. It is hoped to submit a planning application in November 2013 and appoint a contractor so that work can begin in mid-March 2014.

9. Further details relating to the design, maintenance, and recurrent costs will be brought to future meetings of the Buildings Committee and the Planning and Resources Committee. A Second-stage Report will be published later this year.

10. Drawings of the proposed scheme are displayed for the information of the University in the Schools Arcade.

11. The Council recommends:

I. That approval in principle be given for the restructuring and refurbishment of the Department of Genetics as described in this Report.

II. That the Director of Estate Management be authorized to apply for detailed planning approval in due course.

14 October 2013	L. K. Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor	Richard Jones	Rachael Padman
	Jeremy Caddick	Fiona Karet	Shirley Pearce
	Stephen J. Cowley	F. P. Kelly	John Shakeshaft
	Athene Donald	Rebecca Lingwood	I. H. White
	David Good	Mavis McDonald	A. D. Yates
	Andy Hopper	Susan Oosthuizen