Plans for a £1 billion expansion of the London Cancer Hub have been given the green light by Sutton Council, clearing the way for a major boost to the UK’s cancer research and life sciences capacity.
Led by Aviva Capital Partners and development manager Socius, the approved scheme will deliver around 1 million sq ft of state-of-the-art laboratory and research space across a 12-acre site. The project marks the next phase of growth for the London Cancer Hub and is set to strengthen the UK’s science, innovation and health infrastructure.
Planning consent was granted on World Cancer Day (4 February), underscoring the urgency of accelerating cancer research and treatment. The development is expected to play a critical role in supporting innovation, attracting investment and speeding up life-saving discoveries.
The expansion will significantly enhance the Hub’s innovation ecosystem, bringing together researchers, clinicians, start-ups, scale-ups and global life sciences companies in a single, collaborative district designed to drive scientific breakthroughs and support emerging businesses.
The project is expected to create around 3,000 new jobs, most of them high-skilled roles in research, development and life sciences manufacturing. As part of the wider London Cancer Hub district, the full build-out is projected to support approximately 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.
Recognised as nationally significant science infrastructure, the London Cancer Hub aligns with government ambitions to cement the UK’s position as a global leader in life sciences and health innovation. The scheme is highlighted in the Mayor of London’s Growth Plan as a key engine for frontier innovation and international investment.
Designed by Gensler, the project has already received industry recognition, winning the New London Architecture Award 2025 for Healthcare and Life Sciences. Judges praised its transformative mixed-use masterplan, which combines world-class research facilities with community spaces to create a vibrant, science-led district in Sutton.
Sophie White, Sector Head Regeneration at Aviva Capital Partners, said: "We’re delighted to secure planning consent for the London Cancer Hub - a landmark moment for this scheme. 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."
Daniel May, Director of Socius, said: "The London Cancer Hub is about more than buildings. We are delivering the next phase of investment into an already world-class cancer district, creating a powerful catalyst for private investment and long-term growth. It’s about creating a vibrant ecosystem where collaboration drives discovery. By working closely with the ICR, The Royal Marsden, and our partners, we are delivering a worldclass environment that will support businesses, attract investment, and ultimately improve patient outcomes."
Professor Kristian Helin, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), said: “We warmly welcome the approval of these ambitious new plans for The London Cancer Hub, a project the ICR has long championed. Their delivery will create a vibrant, globally competitive life-sciences facility at our Sutton campus, attracting innovative companies and deepening collaboration between academia, industry and the NHS. This environment will further strengthen our world-leading research and help us attract the very best scientists and students from around the world.
“Overall, these plans will accelerate the translation of pioneering discoveries into patient benefit and establish The London Cancer Hub as a nationally and internationally significant centre for cancer innovation – driving investment, enabling the growth of oncology-focused life-sciences companies, and reinforcing the UK’s position as a global leader in cancer research and life-sciences.”
