Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre to start work on new research facility

Phase 2 of the Botnar research centre was granted planning permission by Oxford City Council in September subject to a legal agreement confirming a financial contribution towards cycle and pedestrian improvements in the surrounding area.

The centre will be dedicated to clinical research and trials of new treatments for arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and orthopaedics, epidemiology, bioengineering and postgraduate teaching. It will complement the existing Botnar facility which houses the Oxford University Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences.

The trust was due to submit documentation demonstrating compliance with pre-commencement planning conditions on 7 February. The council has eight weeks to review conditions but a report to the board stated it was “unlikely that the Council will require the full eight week review period to approve the decision” and work is still expected to start on site mid-March.

The project is being funded by charitable donations raised by the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre Appeal.