Plans for Snowsfields Quarter, ‘a new world-class life sciences hub’ in south central London, have taken a major step forward.
A planning application by the Snowsfields Quarter Partnership – a joint venture between independent health organisation, Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation, Oxford Properties, and Reef + Partners, has been submitted to Southwark Council.
Snowsfields Quarter would provide approximately 360,000 ft2 of multi-functional space, including 245,000 ft2 of specialist laboratory facilities, across three new buildings, for a wide range of science occupier requirements. The ambition is for the scheme to support pioneering research in fields such as medical technology, genetics, and neuroscience, ‘creating spaces to cultivate a thriving life sciences ecosystem in Southwark’, while enhancing the wider SC1 Life Sciences Innovation District. Located adjacent to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust’s Guy’s Hospital Campus, and close to King’s College London and London Bridge, Snowsfields Quarter aims to build on hundreds of years of medical innovation in the area.
The proposals include a range of new community benefits for the local area that the project partners say would improve infrastructure and provide training and skills opportunities for residents and Londoners. Employment opportunities during construction and once the development is complete would, they say, fulfil 8.9% of Southwark Council’s Local Plan employment target for the London Bridge Opportunity Area, with 890 ongoing jobs created – in roles ranging from laboratory technicians and scientists to medical researchers and support staff.
Snowsfields Quarter will support delivery of the Mayor of London’s Growth Plan and Inclusive Talent Strategy to create at least 150,000 high-quality jobs, and grow the capital’s skilled workforce. The Snowsfields Quarter Partners will continue to work closely with local universities, colleges, and schools across Southwark, alongside local communities and tenants, ‘to inspire and create links and access to the life-sciences sector, re-skilling and training the workforce of the future’. The ground floor would provide spaces for health, wellbeing, and the community, including exhibition and training facilities.
The development would be fossil-fuel free, and target Net Nero carbon in operation. The project partners explained: “The ambition is for the scheme to reach the highest industry standards of BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and WELL ‘Platinum’ certifications, while diverting 95% of construction and demolition waste materials from landfill for reuse, recycling, or recovery.
The Snowsfields Quarter Partnership has proactively engaged with local stakeholders and communities through 25 consultation events, with the feedback helping to improve the plans, which include a new community performance space, improvements to green spaces, the re-provision of a pub, additional retail units, a ground floor design to create more active streetscapes, and a reduction in massing of one of the buildings.
