A vision has been drawn up to make Sutton in south London Europe’s leading centre for cancer research.
Sutton council, the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden are working up plans for a project dubbed Sutton for Life, which would see a major regeneration of a 49.5-acre site at Belmont to the south of Sutton town centre.
Plans include the largest cancer research facility in Europe plus homes, a hotel and a school specialising in science.
Council development arm Opportunity Sutton is working with the ICR and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, which own the land.
A masterplan is expected to be finalised in the summer. Chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander and deputy mayor of London Kit Malthouse have visited the site in recent months to learn about the potential life sciences cluster.
Sutton council leader Ruth Dombey said: “It would bring new business, visitors, and employment and training opportunities, as well as having the potential for a new school and new housing.”
ICR chief executive professor Alan Ashworth added: “Sutton for Life is a unique opportunity to build on our existing excellence in cancer research.”
nick.whitten@estatesgazette.com
