£300m Cancer Research Hospital in Cambridge approved by councillors
It's despite concerns about water scarcity in the region
Councillors have approved plans to build a new Cancer Research Hospital in Cambridge.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says the building will "change the story of cancer".
The £300 million hospital will be situated on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus - and will be the first of it's kind in the East of England.
It'll bring together NHS treatment with scientists from the University of Cambridge, with construction to start next year.
Dr Hugo Ford, Clinical Lead for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and Director of Cancer Services at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said:
“We welcome today’s planning committee decision recommending approval to build Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus."
“Our new specialist research hospital will be the first of its kind for the East of England, and will transform the lives of the millions of people diagnosed with cancer.
“Careful consideration of sustainability and environmental impact of new developments is incredibly important. We’re continuing to work closely with our partners and the local planning authority to ensure we balance the water safety requirements of a new hospital development, against the wider water resource challenges, both of which are fundamental for the future health and wellbeing of our patients, staff and community.
“We remain on track to start full construction works next year.”
Water supply issues
But the Environment Agency has raised concerns about the water supply needed for the building. A spokesperson from the organisation said:
“We are very conscious of the need to improve vital infrastructure like the new hospital in Cambridge, but as the statutory consultee advising on the environment, the Environment Agency has raised concerns about several proposed development applications in the Greater Cambridge area.”
“Water supplies for these developments will pose a risk to the local environment in an already water stressed region, which is why we’re actively engaged in working with the housing department (DLUHC), Defra and the Greater Cambridge Partnership planning authority as well as Cambridge Water to find a solution that facilitates sustainable development, as outlined in the joint statement released at the start of March.”
In response, the hospital trust says there has been a 9% decrease in water demand across its estate since 2018, and that this will offset the projected increase in water consumption from Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.