Aviva Capital Partners (‘ACP’) and Socius have submitted a planning application to Sutton Council for the development of the London Cancer Hub, which they say ‘is set to become the world’s leading district for cancer research and treatment’. Situated within Europe’s leading cancer treatment centre, the proposed 12-acre site in Belmont sits adjacent to The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust’ Sutton treatment facility. The plans will create approximately one million ft2 of additional ‘state-of-the-art’ lab and research space.
The masterplan includes large-scale facilities for global pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, flexible incubator spaces for start-ups, and ‘collaborative office space to bring together researchers, clinicians, and innovators, in one connected ecosystem to drive forward cancer research breakthroughs’.
Featured in the Mayor of London and London Councils’ Growth Plan, the development is forecast to deliver £1.2 billion (Gross Value Added) annually to the UK economy, and to create 340 jobs annually during construction, and 3,000 direct jobs in operation, mostly in highly-skilled R&D and small-scale manufacturing related to life sciences. Over the next 30 years, the proposals are also expected to generate £54 m worth of social impact through job creation, health and wellbeing improvements, and delivery of new public amenities.
The project partners said: “Building on the world-class research already undertaken by The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden, the project is designed to create a more connected and inclusive district for cancer research. Improved wayfinding, upgraded road infrastructure, and new pedestrian and cycling routes, will link new facilities, green spaces, and existing institutions such as the Harris Academy STEM school, The Innovation Gateway incubator, and Maggie’s cancer care centre.”
Set around landscaped, ‘nature-rich’ green spaces that promote wellbeing and recovery, the plans will exceed mandatory sustainability and energy efficiency standards and aim to achieve Net Zero carbon in operation. The site will also include new restaurants and cafés, a nursery, and a dedicated ‘Learning Lab’, with classrooms ‘to inspire young people to pursue careers in science’.
The London Cancer Hub plans have been shaped by extensive public consultation throughout 2024. Feedback from over 4,500 local residents – 95% of whom were positive or ‘neutral’ towards the plans – has helped shape the final proposals.
Professor Kristian Helin, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: “We’re very pleased to be working with Aviva Capital Partners and Socius on plans to further build the thriving multidisciplinary research district here at the site we share with our partners in Sutton, and we’re hoping the project will attract a range of companies to locate here alongside us, as well as providing a home for companies that spin out from our science in future.
“The London Cancer Hub has great potential to enhance our scientific partnerships with companies in the pharmaceutical and broader life sciences industries, in areas from the discovery and development of new cancer drugs, to the creation of new treatment and diagnostic technologies.”
Dame Cally Palmer, CEO of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, added: “The Royal Marsden’s Sutton site is home to a flourishing research community between The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, that consistently translates innovative ideas in drug discovery from the laboratory to the clinical setting for the benefit of cancer patients worldwide. We support the vision for The London Cancer Hub, and the investment from Aviva Capital Partners to bring life sciences industry on to the site. We anticipate this will facilitate greater collaboration, and foster an environment of excellence to further our work developing new and improved ways to diagnose, treat, and care for, our patients.”