Laing O’Rourke set to deliver flagship UK disease prevention centre

Laing O’Rourke recently signed two contracts with an estimated value of more than £900m with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as part of the National Biosecurity Centre at Weybridge programme.

One of just 30 specialist facilities globally, the National Biosecurity Centre is a critical piece of the UK’s scientific infrastructure, housing cutting-edge labs and medical expertise to protect people and animals from disease outbreaks.

Laing O’Rourke has been awarded two contracts under the Crown Commercial Services ‘Lot 5’ Framework, and is now set to finalise the detailed design and deliver two main Science Hub buildings as part of a major project to modernise and consolidate the Animal and Plant Health Agency campus. Pre-construction is expected to begin this summer with commencement of works in 2027. The project is expected to complete in the mid-2030s.

This large scale, highly-complex and specialist project will leverage Laing O’Rourke’s unique, vertically-integrated capability to solely deliver significant parts of the project’s scope – from piling and geotechnical support to systems integration and commissioning. Laing O’Rourke has selected Sheppard Robson, Arup and Ramboll as their design integrator partners, drawing on their extensive sector expertise.

This award is testament to Laing O’Rourke’s proven, high-calibre team who has an established track record of delivering complex and nationally significant projects in the science and research sector, particularly in high-containment laboratories.

To date, Laing O’Rourke has delivered more than 300 new-build laboratories in the UK since 2016, for key projects such as the Francis Crick Institute for the Wellcome Trust, The Anne McLaren Building for the University of Cambridge, and the Centre for Virus Research for the University of Glasgow.

Peter Lyons, Managing Director, Europe Hub commented:

“We are proud to have been awarded this flagship contract. It’s another demonstration of the calibre of our people in the science and research sector.

“We are in the unique position of having in-house specialists that gives us the ability to deliver complex projects like this end-to-end.

“As pioneers of modern methods of construction we are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in service of humanity and playing our part in the UK Government’s growth agenda, this project is a perfect fit for Laing O’Rourke.

“It is great to work with DEFRA who are champions of a progressive and collaborative procurement approach. The early work we did together will help make sure we can deliver a fantastic project for the UK.”

Jenny Stewart, Senior Science Director at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, said:

“This funding is a vital milestone in the delivery of a world-leading facility that will protect the UK from animal disease threats for decades to come.

“Our scientists and specialists at Weybridge are at the heart of the UK’s disease surveillance and response capability and provide a global centre of expertise.

“Investment on this scale will enable them to continue their critical work in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities, supported by the very latest technologies.”