St Mary's Hospital plans for 30-storey building revealed
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust seeks planning permission for Paddington redevelopment in spring 2027.
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Trust gets +12 for naming chief executive Julian Redhead and +8 for attributing claims to Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
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New illustrated images have been released by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust detailing its proposed redevelopment of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. The trust plans to replace the hospital's aging facilities with a new 800-bed teaching hospital and major trauma centre housed within a 30-storey building.
Deteriorating Facilities Prompt Redevelopment
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The existing St Mary’s Hospital, which is 175 years old, incurs approximately £10 million per year in repair costs. Late last year, a section of the outpatient building was partially closed due to concerns over autoclaved aerated concrete, commonly known as concrete cancer. The trust is seeking to expedite the rebuilding process, which is currently scheduled for central government funding in the 2040s, with the aim of delivering a new hospital by 2035. This follows recent meetings between local Members of Parliament, health trust officials, and government representatives, which resulted in £50 million allocated over three years to accelerate the rebuilding timeline.
The proposed new building will have a smaller footprint than the current hospital, with services consolidated into the taller structure. This consolidation is expected to free up space for upgrades to other parts of the hospital estate. The redevelopment also includes plans for an expanded life sciences campus.
Public Consultation and Planning Application
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Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has engaged in multiple rounds of consultation regarding the redevelopment designs. A further public consultation is now underway, with the trust planning to submit a formal planning application in spring 2027. Residents and stakeholders are invited to provide feedback through public exhibitions, community pop-up events, an online webinar, and a survey.
Professor Julian Redhead, chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, stated that the current estate is "very old and increasingly difficult to maintain, with building failures an increasingly regular occurrence despite spending millions every year on essential maintenance." He added that the project represents "a once in a generation opportunity to create a new hospital that meets the needs of our patients, staff and communities and regenerate the whole site into an expanded life sciences campus, attracting jobs and investment."
Economic Impact and Site Regeneration
An independent evaluation of the redevelopment project estimates it could generate between 9,000 and 11,000 additional jobs. Furthermore, the project is projected to stimulate up to £1.3 billion in annual economic activity. The wider site masterplan includes the creation of two new public green spaces, Mint Square and Canalside Square. Heritage buildings, such as the Grade II-listed Clarence Memorial Wing, are slated for retention and restoration as part of the regeneration efforts.
Questions this report answers
+What are the main issues with the current St Mary's Hospital?
The hospital, which is 175 years old, has many old buildings that are difficult and costly to maintain, with annual repair costs reaching £10 million. Parts of the outpatient building were closed last year due to concerns over concrete cancer.
+What does the proposed redevelopment involve?
The plans include building a new 30-storey hospital with 800 beds, serving as a teaching hospital and major trauma centre. The new building will have a smaller footprint, and the wider site will be regenerated into an expanded life sciences campus.
+When will a decision be made on the redevelopment plans?
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust intends to submit a formal planning application in spring 2027, following a public consultation period. The trust hopes to deliver the new hospital by 2035.
News London Desk
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