News

Proposals for the UK’s most sustainable hospital reaches key planning milestone

Acting as part of the ACORN consortium, led by developer and investor Kajima with lead designers White Arkitekter, Turley has helped secure the green light for the reserved matters associated with the 2017 outline planning permission for the new Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. New images of the facility have been unveiled.

We provided expert Planning and Strategic Communications services for the plans which were approved by Cardiff Council’s planning committee on 16 March 2023.

The proposals for the UK’s greenest hospital are for a highly sustainable, elegant new cancer centre for patients, staff and the local community. The design will be integrated into a natural setting respecting the existing ecological habitats and landscape features. The new facility will promote excellence in cancer services and support international research and development. 

Velindre Cancer Centre is being developed to comply with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and become the most sustainable hospital in the UK.

The design utilises low embodied carbon, bio-based materials that support a circular economy and promote health and wellbeing. Timber and other natural materials such as lime and clay renders, which are breathable, flexible, and anti-fungal, will deliver a natural calming environment for staff, patients, and their families/visitors.

The scheme will be all electric to supporting low energy demand and low operational carbon. A strategy is in place to reduce site waste through off-site manufacture of components, minimise transportation and create greater efficiencies in the construction and maintenance of the hospital.

Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS) systems will be integrated that focus on ‘roof to river’ with no plastic in the ground, a swale network and retention pond which form attractive amenity areas for everyone to enjoy. 

The façade design, based on a standard grid, will enable internal spaces to be easily reconfigured without the need for costly structural alterations – allowing the building to respond to space requirements of future innovation in treatment and equipment.

Importantly, the design has been developed to ensure minimum impact on the site. The landscape strategy aims to keep the site as wild as possible by retaining existing habitats and creating new habitats alongside new landscape spaces such as an orchard with Welsh apple varieties, and a community kitchen garden. The scheme also seeks to create informal play areas and a multitude of walking, cycling and relaxation areas. 

Michael Woodford, Partner at White Arkitekter, said:

“Securing planning consent for this exemplary new hospital is excellent news – not only will it provide cutting-edge facilities, but in a wholly sustainable manner. White is proud to be creating spaces that support the fantastic work of the NHS, and we look forward to bringing the scheme to life in close collaboration with the Trust, consortium and local community over the coming years.”

Nia Russell, Associate Director added:

“This has been an exciting and rewarding project for us to be involved with, working with the development team and leading on the delivery of the detailed planning approvals to allow works to progress on the delivery of this incredibly well designed and much needed new cancer hospital.”  

A community benefits offer will also see many jobs created, apprentices trained, school pupils engaged, substantial community initiatives and engagement over the course of the scheme’s development. ACORN will establish the IMPACT Community Benefits Delivery Plan that is described by five key headings: 

1. Futures: invest in skills and employment to enable local communities to achieve their potential. 
2. Thrive: contribute to the wellbeing of South Wales communities and their environments, promoting good health and environmental sustainability. 
3. Prosper: promote SME and social business engagement, investing in local communities through our supply chain. 
4. Embrace: foster inclusion and promote equality and diversity across the workforce and local communities. 
5. Think: establish mechanisms that support collaborative learning to ensure, as a partnership, we build on what works. 

Additional community benefits proposed include a Carbon Literacy Training Programme, employment of a Ranger, Grow and Prosper Social Business Programme, Social Business Makers Market, and a Tool Library.

The Acorn consortium was the successful participant following the conclusion of a robust procurement process run by Velindre University NHS Trust. The consortium includes Sacyr UK as the main contractor, Abrdn, Kier Facilities Services, White Arkitekter, BAC, Hydrock, Ingho, MJ Medical, Turley, Studio Response, Camlins Landscape Architects, RSK, Osborne Clarke, Operis and CloudNine.

20 March 2023