Plans for £1bn expansion of London Cancer Hub approved

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. The approved scheme will deliver around 1 million sq ft of state-of-the-art laboratory and research space, unlocking the next phase of growth at the London Cancer Hub and strengthening the UK’s science and innovation infrastructure.

Planning approval was granted on World Cancer Day (4 February), underlining the urgency of advancing cancer research and treatment. The development will play a vital role in helping the UK tackle future health challenges by providing critical science infrastructure that supports innovation, attracts investment, and accelerates life-saving discoveries.

The London Cancer Hub is a long-running partnership between organisations based across the site in Sutton and the London Borough of Sutton (Sutton Council).

The site is already a globally recognised cluster for cancer research, treatment and commercialisation, helping translate scientific discovery into patient and economic impact. It is home to internationally renowned institutions including the Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, alongside the Innovation Gateway, which supports early-stage life sciences companies.

The approved plans will deliver new laboratory and research space across 12 acres, strengthening the London Cancer Hub’s wider innovation facilities and supporting collaboration between researchers, clinicians, start-ups, scale-ups and global life sciences companies to drive scientific breakthroughs and support emerging businesses.

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 analysis by the London Borough of Sutton.