Plan for 'world-leading' computing centre filed

An Oxford college's plan for a new quantum computer centre which it says would create thousands of new jobs at the "world-leading" facility has been officially submitted.

Exeter College said EXOq would be a home for global research and development on a site adjacent to Oxford Parkway Station and include an on-site further education college.

The site spans both sides of the A4260 Frieze Way, between the Oxford Canal and the A34, and is near the Triangle, which Oxford United plans to use for its new 16,000-capacity stadium.

The college said Kidlington residents would benefit from a new country park at the development, along with a new cafe and community room.

It said current analysis suggests EXOq could create about 7,000 new jobs, with about 4,600 of those in the Cherwell district.

Objectors have previously said the proposed use of the green belt site is "tone deaf" and that its use risks overdevelopment in the area between Kidlington and Oxford.

But the college's rector Andrew Roe said: "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."

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