Irish-designed children’s cancer hospital gets planning approval

A state-of-the-art €300 million children's cancer hospital in London designed by Irish architects Scott Tallon Walker has been granted planning permission by the London borough of Camden.

The 35,000 sq m Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) Centre and cancer hospital will be built at University College Hospital London (UCLH).

Scott Tallon Walker director Eoin Ó Morain said: "This is the first time PBT cancer treatment will be available in the UK. At the moment, patients in the UK needing PBT are sent for treatment to the US and Switzerland. " The new London unit includes facilities to treat 750 patients a year and will provide 165 new patient beds for specialist cancer treatment along with eight new operating theatres.

Scott Tallon Walker has spent three years working on the project and this is the firm's 60th healthcare project worldwide. The design is a collaboration with Edward Williams Architects.

It is understood President Michael D Higgins will visit UCLH during his state visit to Britain and will be briefed on the project.