Oxfordshire County Council Approves Speedwell House Redevelopment
Oxfordshire County Council approved early redevelopment of Speedwell House into a city center hub despite potential government plans to reorganize local authorities.
The Oxfordshire County Council approved the early start of redevelopment work on Speedwell House on October 20 to create a new city center hub. Scheduled to open in April 2028, the project is funded by the sale of County Hall. The council plans to vacate County Hall in late 2026 and will utilize temporary spaces, including Midland House in Botley, until the new campus is complete.
This decision proceeds while the Government of the United Kingdom considers abolishing the current council structure in favor of three unitary authorities: Greater Oxford, Northern Oxfordshire, and Ridgeway. Although these reorganization plans were paused in September for review, council leader Tim Bearder maintains that the new building supports his vision for a single unitary council for the entire county.
Finance director Dan Levy stated that the project remains viable regardless of the final governance outcome. He noted that early procurement reduces the council's exposure to inflation and suggested that if a single unitary council is not established, the building could serve as a modern office for another entity.
