The £1 billion expansion intends to build a research and laboratory space to bring life sciences companies together with academic researchers and clinicians to drive innovation in cancer research.
Plans for a £1 billion expansion of the London Cancer Hub, led by Aviva Capital Partners and development manager Socius, have received consent from Sutton Council.
As Healthcare Today reported at the time, a planning application was submitted last year to the London borough of Sutton for the development, which will be delivered on a 12-acre site at the London Cancer Hub, adjacent to The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust’s Sutton site.
Aviva Capital Partners and Socius intend to build a research and laboratory space in order to bring leading life sciences companies together with academic researchers and clinicians to drive innovation in cancer research.
It is expected to create 3,000 new jobs, the majority in high-skilled R&D and life sciences-related manufacturing. The expansion forms part of the wider London Cancer Hub district and, once the full district is realised, is expected to support around 13,000 jobs in total and contribute an estimated £1.2 billion in gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy, according to Sutton’s own analysis.
Landmark moment
The new buildings will range from large-scale facilities for global pharmaceutical and life sciences companies to smaller, flexible lab and incubator spaces for start-ups, with the capacity to accommodate wet labs, good manufacturing practice facilities, specialist equipment, as well as modern office and collaborative workspaces.
The project will also target net-zero carbon in operation and deliver affordable homes for approximately 220 key workers and new public spaces designed to support wellbeing, collaboration and communities.
“We’re delighted to secure planning consent for the London Cancer Hub – a landmark moment for this scheme,” said Sophie White, sector head of regeneration at Aviva Capital Partners.
“This development will deliver critical science infrastructure for the UK, helping the UK get ready for the future by creating an environment where innovation can flourish, and lifesaving research can accelerate. We are proud to play a role in shaping a campus that will have a profound impact on global health, as well as the economy,” she added.
“We are delighted that planning permission has been granted for the London Cancer Hub,” said Cally Palmer, chief executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. “Partnering with life sciences and Aviva through the London Cancer Hub will have a major impact and benefit for the local community, the country, and for our international collaborations in cancer research,” she continued.
