Scheme

Aviva Capital Partners and Socius have submitted plans to deliver the world’s leading district for cancer research and treatment, the £1bn London Cancer Hub in Sutton.

The scheme will comprise a one million sq ft life sciences district on a five-hectare site. It will deliver major social and economic benefits, including 13,000 highly skilled jobs in health, science, education and construction and generate £1.2bn GVA to the UK economy.

Meeting Place is working closely with Aviva and Socius, supporting the project team with planning communications, PR and social impact, to set out a long-term, sustainable vision and strategy for the development of the scheme.

The redevelopment aims to improve the wellbeing of the local community, ensuring that the benefits of progress are felt by all.

Strategy

Meeting Place has devised and executed a holistic PR, social impact and planning communications strategy for the London Cancer Hub. With the plans submitted to the Council in 2025, meaningful engagement with the Sutton community lay at the heart of the strategy, ensuring the social impact delivered from the scheme will meet local needs and aspirations.

A key part of this was the public consultation. Across several online and in-person events, we designed and delivered a range of consultation boards which provided a clear and accessible overview of the proposals.
With feedback from over 4,500 local residents, the engagement activity showcased the long-term vision for the Hub, highlighted its world-leading potential in cancer research and treatment and explained how the development will deliver widespread benefits for Sutton.

Feedback gathered through this process has helped to shape the masterplan and ensure it reflects local priorities.

Alongside the consultation, Meeting Place is coordinating the project team to deliver social impact commitments, including volunteering, charity donations and collaboration with local businesses, charities, schools and colleges to influence positive change. Our work with the design team ensures that community voices are heard and that layouts and plans respond to local needs. The design will maximise social impact through creating spaces that improve wellbeing, increase job access and protect and enhance nature.

Throughout the project, Meeting Place’s PR team has supported the campaign to help raise awareness, excitement and sentiment toward the plans.

Highlights include promoting:
• The submission to Sutton Council
• A 30-year “Green Shoots” vision for delivering a healthier, greener campus
• London Festival of Architecture - a month-long celebration of architecture and science on site
• The installation of new padel courts as a meanwhile-use activation
• Charitable initiatives, which includes donating sports equipment to local schools

As part of Meeting Place’s appointment, we have also provided pro-bono communications and PR support for local organisations, to ensure that the positive impact of the Hub is widely shared.

Outcome

With the plans now submitted, we are continuing to work closely with stakeholders and the local community to raise awareness of the development throughout the planning process.

Comprehensive engagement and a series of PR activations and campaigns, ranging from the submission through to the creation of padel courts, have helped to put London Cancer Hub on the map; positioning the plans as a world-class life sciences district and community asset.