Scheme is for Defra鈥檚 biosecurity campus in Surrey

Laing O鈥橰ourke has won a brace of deals to build a pair of science hub buildings for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

The firm has been appointed main works contractor for the B950 and B951 buildings, both of which are part of Defra鈥檚 National Biosecurity Campus in Surrey.

The projects have been valued at 拢408m and 拢511m respectively with the Weybridge site home to the Animal and Plant Health Agency laboratories which provide the UK with a national capability to prevent and control animal diseases. 

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The work is expected to be completed by 2033

Work on the B950 building is due to complete in August 2033, while the B951 building is expected to be finished in February 2032.

Design work has already begun with most construction expected to ramp up from 2027.

The scheme will include 64,000 sq m of high-containment laboratories as well as ancillary support buildings and office space.

A government notice said Laing O鈥橰ourke will lead the integrated supply chain which will include the designer and M&E contractor as well as 鈥渙ther generalist and biocontainment specialist contractors to deliver the building鈥�.

Meanwhile, Laing O鈥橰ourke has appointed Ilze Williamson as its new finance director for its Europe hub 鈥� the company鈥檚 largest business.

She was previously chief financial officer at architect Scott Brownrigg and will start next month.

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