Tower Hamlets has approved plans for a new world class life sciences cluster to be built in Whitechapel.
A number of vacant buildings and plots next to the Royal London Hospital will be redeveloped and brought back into use.
Five buildings will be constructed, and one existing building will be retained, creating nearly 70,000 sqm of floor space for life sciences use.
The redevelopment will also include a spaces that can be used by the community and local schools to promote career opportunities in life sciences, as well as a café, public toilets and landscaped open space.
Life science is the study of living organisms, including a wide range of disciplines like biology, genetics, cell biology and neurobiology.
The development is part of the on-going regeneration of Whitechapel and is expected to create employment and training opportunities and the potential for up to 4,180 full-time jobs.
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “This is a boost for Whitechapel and the latest in a series of developments in the area that is putting Whitechapel on the map as a go-to area of London.
“The development will benefit local people now, with the creation of jobs opportunities, but it will also be a boost for the future.
“If our young people can see a world-class facility on their doorstep, it will help inspire our next generation of scientific talent.”
Members of the Strategic Development Committee approved the application at a meeting last week (Wednesday 9 October).
Several planning conditions were set out, including that the site will provide space for education and health activities and an outreach programme for local schools and colleges.
Financial contributions totalling £6.9 million have also been agreed, including £2.5m towards community health and wellbeing projects and programmes and £1.7m towards employment skills and training initiatives.
In addition to the built development, there will be improvements to the streets around the site to make them more pedestrian and cycle friendly. This includes widening footways, tree planting and a new public square between the hospital and St. Augustine with St. Philip’s Church.
The application will now be referred to the Mayor of London before a final decision is issued.
Posted on Monday 14th October 2024