Plans have been submitted for a major life sciences, housing, and healthcare campus around The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, a scheme that could unlock £750 million of investment and transform a key part of east London.
Landowners BGO, in collaboration with Barts Health NHS Trust, have lodged a planning application with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for a near-1 million sq ft mixed-use development within the Barts Life Sciences Cluster. The proposals aim to co-locate NHS services, research facilities, and office space alongside new homes, public amenities, and landscaped green routes.
A central element of the scheme is a new building south of the hospital to replace the trust’s Ashfield Street offices, including John Harrison House and Princess Alexandra House. The block would house offices, flexible workspace for life sciences companies, public areas, and amenities for NHS staff, while freeing up capacity within the hospital estate.
The wider masterplan envisages over 500 new homes across five residential buildings, alongside refurbished terrace housing. The homes would include a mix of private residences, affordable family units, shared living, and specialist accommodation for key workers. Philpot Street and Walden Street would be transformed into landscaped pedestrian routes connecting the campus.
Shane DeGaris, Group Chief Executive of Barts Health NHS Trust, said: “This is an exciting example of how we are working with local partners to bring much-needed investment into Whitechapel and regenerate the area around our flagship teaching hospital. We will continue to collaborate with BGO and others in the Barts Life Sciences Cluster to attract industry and translate research into life-changing clinical practices and products for our patients.”
Merrik Baggallay, Managing Director at BGO, added that the development would address local health challenges, deliver vital NHS infrastructure, and create an inclusive campus for the wider community.
The project team includes PLP Architecture, dMFK, DSDHA, BD Landscape Architects, Avison Young, Sweco, AKT II, DP9, and GIA. Subject to planning approval, demolition could begin in 2027, with construction phased over approximately ten years.
