Approval for south London life science hub

Southwark Council has approved plans for Snowsfields Quarter, a new life sciences development in central London that will add approximately 360,000 square feet of research and commercial space adjacent to Guy’s Hospital.

The project includes three buildings designed to accommodate life sciences research, with around 245,000 square feet allocated to laboratory facilities. The development will be located within the SC1 Life Sciences Innovation District, close to academic and clinical institutions including Guy’s Hospital and King’s College London’s Guy’s Campus.

The scheme is being brought forward by the Snowsfields Quarter Partnership, a joint venture between Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation, Oxford Properties, and Reef Group. Architecture practices Allies and Morrison and DSDHA are responsible for the design. One of the buildings, Plot 1, is being designed by DSDHA and will include a community performance space in addition to research and development facilities.

The site is intended to support work in areas such as medical technology, genetics, neuroscience, and other applied life sciences fields. The buildings are designed to be flexible, with space for organisations of different sizes, including start-ups and local businesses.

According to the developers, the scheme includes provisions for health and wellbeing uses, exhibition and training spaces, and facilities aimed at supporting collaboration across the life sciences sector. The project also aims to contribute to ongoing regeneration in the area by strengthening physical connections between the hospital campus and the surrounding neighbourhood.

Snowsfields Quarter forms part of a wider effort to expand life sciences infrastructure in London. No construction timeline has been confirmed, but the planning decision allows the partnership to move forward with detailed design and delivery plans.