Recommendation 23

The Department started work on its Weybridge redevelopment programme in 2017, but has changed the scope of the programme over time. Its Strategic Outline Case (June 2018) and Outline Business Case (March 2020) were focused on a construction programme to replace ageing buildings at the Weybridge site. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s (IPA’s) August 2020 review highlighted that not enough attention had been paid to the non-construction elements of the programme, such as transformation 37 Qq 2–5, 20 38 Qq 21, 27–28 39 Qq 2, 19, 21, 24, 28 40 Q 19 41 Qq 20, 23 42 Qq 20, 23, 52–55 Redevelopment of Defra’s animal health infrastructure 15 of how the site operates. Defra’s Programme Business Case (November 2021) increased the scope to include wider transformation of different aspects of the operations at Weybridge including: science; digital; estates; and sustainability. The main construction elements include: building a new science laboratory hub; refurbishing some other existing laboratories; upgrading infrastructure, including utilities, waste management and roads; and other refurbishment, decommissioning and demolition of buildings.43 The current estimated cost of the programme is £2.8 billion over a 15 year period, ending in 2036.44