The proposed Blavatnik School of Government will be built on Walton Street next to St Paul’s church in the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter.

It has been made possible by a £75m endowment by American industrialist Leonard Blavatnik with the aim to train future world leaders.

Once signed off, Laing O’Rourke will have notched up its second major contract on the site after building the University’s new Institute of Mathematics, worth around £45m.

According to sources close to the project Laing O’Rourke has won the job ahead of Mace, Wates and Bam Construct.

One source told the Enquirer: “They started out as favourites because they had already mobilised on the site for the Institute of Mathematics building.

“This is another prestigious job for the University and enabling works should get underway in May.”

Before work can start on the striking six-storey circular building designed by Tate Modern architect Herzog & de Meuron, remains from the old cemetery at the site will need to be exhumed.

The other major project due to be built at the Radcliffe Observatory site is a Humanities Building and Library but progress has stalled while funding is found.