Snowsfields Quarter has secured full planning consent for a 360,000 sq ft development within the SC1 London Health and Life Sciences Innovation District in Southwark.

The development can move forward after Southwark Council and Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation agreed the Section 106 agreement for the site, which is located next to Guy’s Hospital.

Around 245,000 sq ft of the development will be dedicated to laboratory facilities designed to support research in areas including medical technology, genetics and neuroscience.

The planning application was brought forward by Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation in partnership with Reef & Partners and Oxford Properties, following several years of work with Southwark Council, the local community and the wider project team.

Snowsfields Quarter forms part of the SC1 London Health and Life Sciences Innovation District, which brings together healthcare, research, education and commercial life sciences activity across Southwark and Lambeth.

The development is intended to increase the supply of specialist research and laboratory accommodation within the cluster while supporting SC1 London's strategy to attract health, life sciences and technology businesses.

The consent comes as the Government seeks to expand employment in the UK life sciences sector. Figures referenced by the project team show more than 56,000 people were employed in life sciences in London, with businesses in the capital generating turnover of £33.9bn in 2023/24.

A further 66,000 jobs in priority occupations are forecast to be created in the sector between 2025 and 2035.

Laurie Lee, Chief Executive at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation, said: “Snowsfields Quarter has the potential to be transformative for Southwark, creating high-quality jobs for people living locally as well as delivering research that can improve health outcomes for everyone.

“This development will contribute to ensuring the SC1 London Health and Life Sciences Innovation District continues to attract cutting edge science, technology and life sciences companies to the area.”

The Section 106 agreement also links the development to employment, public realm and community improvements in the surrounding area.

Southwark Council said the scheme is expected to create 890 jobs, with measures intended to help local residents access employment opportunities.

Contributions will also support improvements to Guy Street Park and environmental works on the neighbouring estate, including additional green space and security improvements.

The plans include a replacement theatre space and pub as part of efforts to introduce a broader mix of activity around the development.

The project team also intends to provide training and reskilling opportunities designed to connect Southwark residents with employment in the life sciences sector, alongside partnerships with local schools, colleges and universities.

The development will sit within a growing concentration of health and life sciences institutions around Guy’s Hospital and King’s College London, with SC1 seeking to translate that existing research and healthcare base into further commercial investment and employment.

With the Section 106 agreement now completed, Snowsfields Quarter has full planning consent for a development that will add a substantial volume of purpose-built laboratory accommodation to London's life sciences property pipeline.