At a Glance
- Company: London Cancer Hub; Aviva Capital Partners; Socius
- Location: Belmont, Sutton, south London, UK
- Deal value: £1bn development; c. 1m sq ft new space; 3,000 new high‑skilled jobs
- Focus area: Oncology labs, research, manufacturing and innovation campus
- Next steps: Move into delivery/construction phase, attract pharma, biotechs and investors
What happened?
UK planners have approved a £1 billion extension of the London Cancer Hub in Belmont, Sutton, giving the go‑ahead for one of the country’s largest new life‑sciences campuses. Led by funding partner Aviva Capital Partners and development manager Socius, the scheme will deliver around 1 million sq ft of state‑of‑the‑art laboratory and research facilities adjacent to the existing hub anchored by The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden.
Why does it matter?
The expansion is designed to transform the London Cancer Hub into one of the world’s leading centres for oncology research, treatment and commercialisation, reinforcing the UK’s bid to remain globally competitive in life sciences. By adding critical science infrastructure, the project aims to accelerate drug discovery, attract global pharma and biotech partners, and support the ambitions set out in the government’s National Cancer Plan and wider growth agenda for the sector.
Who’s behind it?
The project is being driven by Aviva Capital Partners, the strategic investment arm of Aviva, with Socius as development manager and Savills advising on planning. Key institutional stakeholders include The Institute of Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton Council and the Greater London Authority, all backing the hub as a flagship health‑innovation district.
How was it achieved?
Sutton Council granted planning consent on 4 February—World Cancer Day—following extensive engagement with local authorities, planners and community stakeholders. The approved masterplan allocates 12 acres for labs, R&D space, manufacturing, collaborative offices, a “Learning Lab”, amenity spaces and around 220 affordable homes for key workers, creating a mixed‑use campus designed to foster collaboration and wellbeing.
What’s next?
With planning approval secured, the project now moves into delivery, with construction expected to follow and phasing to be agreed as occupiers are secured. Once fully realised, the wider London Cancer Hub district is projected to support around 13,000 jobs and contribute an estimated £1.2 billion in gross value added to the UK economy, while serving as a magnet for oncology talent, companies and investment.
What are people saying?
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, called the decision “a major step in creating a world‑leading facility” that will drive life‑saving research, create thousands of jobs and cement London’s status as a global health‑innovation leader. Planning director Samruti Patel of Savills said the approval “marks a major milestone” in delivering a million square feet of labs, research facilities and key‑worker housing to expand one of the world’s leading cancer research districts.