The job, awarded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, will see O\u2019Rourke take the project, consisting of two main buildings, through detailed design and construction.<\/p>\n
The hub forms the centrepiece of the government\u2019s \u00a32.8bn Science Capability in Animal Health (SCAH) programme, a 12\u201315 year redevelopment of the 93ha Animal and Plant Health Agency site near the M25 at New Haw.<\/p>\n
Around 1,000 staff work at the site, which has been a base for animal health science for over a century.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Rourke will lead a full multidisciplinary supply chain including MEP, biocontainment, and design specialists.<\/p>\n
![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/www.constructionenquirer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screenshot-2025-06-09-at-01.19.22.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMasterplan for full facility rebuild<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The project is the first major capital phase of the wider NBC redevelopment, which includes demolition of outdated stock, site-wide infrastructure upgrades, and the construction of new state-of-the-art laboratories.<\/p>\n
Design work is already underway, with most construction expected to ramp up between 2027 and 2032.<\/p>\n
Facilities for the planned renewal programme will include 64,000m\u00b2 of high-containment labs, 24,000m\u00b2 of ancillary support buildings, and over 4,000m\u00b2 of office space.<\/p>\n
The Government says the new centre will secure the UK\u2019s resilience against major animal disease outbreaks, many of which can jump to humans.<\/p>\n
Mace is acting as programme delivery partner overseeing masterplanning, commercial strategy and delivery logistics, while Arup has been advising across the development phases.<\/p>\n
The full SCAH programme includes:<\/p>\n
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Enabling works to 2027<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Site-wide infrastructure to 2037<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Science Hub capital works to 2035<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Estate rationalisation from 2032\u20132037<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The B951 Science Hub will be a central piece of the national effort to protect animal welfare, farming, and public health against future biosecurity threats.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n