A World-class Clinical Life Sciences Hub in Paddington
Discover our exciting plans to transform the former Imperial College Medical School site, adjacent to St Mary’s Hospital, into a state-of-the-art clinical life sciences building – a vital step for medical innovation.
Explore:
Cohort Ltd is moving forward with exciting plans to deliver a world-class clinical life sciences hub at the former Imperial College Medical School site in Paddington – a site that is currently vacant following the relocation of the medical school to new facilities in White City.
Computer Generated Image (CGI) of proposed scheme along Praed Street
Our Vision
A centre for translational research, built on the principle of “bench to bedside” – turning scientific breakthroughs in the lab into real-world treatments, diagnostics, and health technologies.
The building will feature dedicated clinical trials facilities, helping accelerate the journey from research to patient care.
The Development
This development will cement Paddington’s place at the forefront of global medical science, building on its rich history of world-changing discoveries and the strengths of local institutions – including St Mary’s Hospital and Imperial College.
We are also exploring whether the site could include purpose-built education and engagement spaces for local schools, enabling hands-on science learning, work experience, and teacher development – helping inspire the next generation of doctors, researchers, and innovators.
CGI of proposed scheme from Paddington Basin
Our Vision
A centre for translational research, built on the principle of “bench to bedside” – turning scientific breakthroughs in the lab into real-world treatments, diagnostics, and health technologies.
The building will feature dedicated clinical trials facilities, helping accelerate the journey from research to patient care.
The Development
This development will cement Paddington’s place at the forefront of global medical science, building on its rich history of world-changing discoveries and the strengths of local institutions – including St Mary’s Hospital and Imperial College.
We are also exploring whether the site could include purpose-built education and engagement spaces for local schools, enabling hands-on science learning, work experience, and teacher development – helping inspire the next generation of doctors, researchers, and innovators.
CGI of proposed scheme from Paddington Basin
Our Proposals
Why support our plans?
Inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators
Through partnerships with local schools and institutions, we will create exciting opportunities to inspire London’s next generation of scientists. Mirroring the successful outreach programmes of organisations such as the Francis Crick Institute, this will include hands-on science workshops, a careers and mentoring programme, work-experience placements, and accessible lab visits. Dedicated education and engagement spaces are also being explored, helping to build a long-term skills pipeline linked to the Paddington Life Sciences cluster and St Mary’s Hospital.
Creating local jobs and driving economic growth
The project will create up to 1,845 on-site jobs when operational, contributing to up to 2,350 net additional jobs across London, including through supply chains and induced employment. This includes 100–130 roles for Westminster residents, along with 50 apprenticeships, placements and early-career opportunities, many of which will be accessible without a university degree.
In total, the development is expected to generate £238m–£282m in annual economic activity, equivalent to £2.5bn–£3bn over a decade, and £71m–£117m in annual tax revenue, rising to £700m–£1.2bn over 10 years.
Improving health outcomes in Westminster
The building will accelerate the “bench to bedside” approach, translating research breakthroughs into real patient benefit. By delivering one of London’s few immediately available life-sciences facilities — at a time when only around 23% of active demand for high-quality lab and clinical research space is being met — the project will help tackle health inequalities by making clinical trials and new treatments more inclusive and accessible.
Delivering enhanced public realm
The scheme will provide significant public-realm improvements, creating safer, greener walking routes, new planting, and more welcoming ground-floor areas along Praed Street. These enhancements will support an environment befitting a development forecast to deliver substantial long-term economic and social value for Westminster.
Setting new sustainability standards
The building will target BREEAM Outstanding, setting a new benchmark for sustainable science and healthcare innovation in the capital. As part of a sector that stimulates nationwide supply chains and helps the NHS adopt new treatments faster, the development will act as a catalyst for low-carbon, future-ready innovation.
Support the Application
Now that the planning application has been submitted, your support is incredibly important. Westminster City Council will consider all public comments before making a decision, and positive representations help demonstrate local backing for a scheme of both local and national significance. If you believe these proposals will deliver real benefits for Paddington, we would be grateful if you would consider showing your support.
Email Westminster
It only takes a couple of minutes to email Westminster City Council’s planning department to express your support for the proposals. You may wish to include a few personalised points about why a world-class clinical life sciences hub, new jobs and improved public realm would be beneficial for Paddington.
Aerial CGI of proposed scheme looking east
Consultation Material Archive
Take a look at the exhibition boards displayed at our public consultations and learn more about our proposals for the Clinical Life Sciences Hub in Paddington.
View key planning application documents
We know that planning applications can be difficult to navigate, particularly where there are a large number of documents. To make things easier, we’ve highlighted and linked the key summary documents below.
Design and Access Statement
This explains the design approach for the building, landscaping and public spaces, and how the scheme responds to the character of the surrounding area.
Planning Statement
This document provides a full account of pre-application discussions with Westminster City Council, the Greater London Authority and other statutory consultees. It also explains how the proposals comply with national, London and local planning policies.
Economic Statement
This document describes the economic benefits of the project, including jobs, investment, support for local businesses, and opportunities for training and apprenticeships.
Statement of Community Involvement
This sets out how local residents, businesses and stakeholders were consulted on the proposals. It explains what feedback was received and how this has helped shape the final scheme.