DLA Working With STFC
October 27, 2022
Owen Reading
735 Views
David Lock Associates is delighted to be working with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (part of UK Research and Innovation) on a series of exciting development plans, which are helping to facilitate world-leading research.
RAL
Forming the scientific heart of the growing Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) is a world-leading research site with numerous national UK scientific facilities hosted. STFC commissioned David Lock Associates and Fathom Architects to prepare a comprehensive Development Plan for its RAL site to guide future estates development and infrastructure comprehensively and help transform quality of place and prepare for a more sustainable future.
The now completed Development Plan successfully blends the technical requirements of a complex operational site with placemaking, architecture and urban design guidance to create a better place for the thousands of researchers that work there every day. It sets out a strong base for the expansion and intensification of RAL to enable cutting-edge science to continue there for the long-term.
The Development Plan is now being used by STFC, underpinning design work and business cases for funding to deliver infrastructure and improvement works and enabling the UK to remain in the lead of global scientific research.
Daresbury
Following a competitive tendering process, David Lock Associates and Fathom Architects have been commissioned by STFC for a second time to prepare a Development Plan for its Daresbury Laboratory, one of the UK’s two national laboratory facilities. DLA and Fathom have together recently prepared a Development Plan for the other, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, in Harwell, Oxfordshire.
Daresbury Laboratory is the scientific heart of the growing Sci-Tech Daresbury research park, a joint venture between STFC, Halton Borough Council and private developers Langtree. The Development Plan will seek to support the laboratory’s ambitions to continue to host world-leading scientific research facilities, as well as to help incubate innovative new businesses based around the science undertaken on the site. Together, we will look at scenarios for growth and change at the laboratory in new and existing buildings, as well as explore placemaking opportunities and sustainability improvements, to support UKRI on its journey to Net Zero by 2040.
We are proud to have been commissioned once again by STFC, meaning that together DLA and Fathom will have prepared Development Plans for both of the UK’s national laboratory facilities, giving us unique experience in this vital source of the UK’s innovation economy.

Owen Reading
Senior Urban Designer
RELATED NEWS
Mexborough Secures Funding
November 28, 2023
Last week, officers at the City of Doncaster Council were informed that the City Council has been successful in securing funding, through the Government’s Levelling up Fund round 3 programme, for over £17,000,000.
Urban Design Opportunities
November 14, 2023
We are currently recruiting urban designers at Associate and Senior Associate level to join our talented and busy team.
Approval secured for 400-home outline application at Grantham
November 9, 2023
South Kesteven District Council’s Planning Committee unanimously approved an outline planning application submitted by DLA, on behalf of the Vistry Group, for up to 400 homes on the north western side of the Lincolnshire town of Grantham.
Build your Career at DLA
October 25, 2023
We are looking for enthusiastic, bright and committed graduate planners to join our leading spatial planning practice next summer.
DLA Announces New Chair
October 3, 2023
We are delighted to announce the appointment of chartered town planner and urban designer Joanne Cave as Chair of the Company. Jo has been an integral part of our team for 26 years and served as a member of DLA’s board since 2011.
Promotion and New Starters
October 3, 2023
We are delighted to announce the appointment of three Assistant Planners and the promotion of Aya Mohamed.
Refurbishment of Mortimer Square, The Hub Milton Keynes
September 13, 2023
The square was in need of refurbishment to create a more usable and attractive public space, that also benefitted the business that operate out of the area.
Recruiting Planners
August 15, 2023
We are currently recruiting MRTPI chartered planners/senior planners to join our dynamic planning and masterplanning practice.
Mexborough Futures Masterplan
August 2, 2023
The City of Doncaster Council have produced the Mexborough Futures Masterplan, a comprehensive masterplan to guide future investments and address key challenges in Mexborough Town Centre.
Policy Considerations for Site Allocations
July 31, 2023
One of the main purposes of local plans is to allocate sites to deliver strategic priorities. But what is in national policy and guidance to help authorities and practitioners with this process – from identifying sites to assessing sites to selecting sites for allocation.