CB Richard Ellis has been appointed as planning consultant by the UK Centre of Medical Research & Innovation in relation to their plans for a 60,000 sq m world class medical research centre next to St Pancras International Station.

The client is a partnership between the Medical Research Council, University College London (UCL) and Britain's two largest medical charities, Cancer Research UK and the Wellcome Trust. Together they aim to deliver a building which will become one of the world's leading research centres.

Paul Willmott, Planning Director at CB Richard Ellis, commented: "We are thrilled to be selected by UKCMRI to act on their behalf in delivering what is without doubt a project of the greatest importance to London, the UK and globally. This centre is truly about seeking cures to the key illnesses that account for the majority of premature deaths across the country and for delivering improvements to the quality of life of those suffering.


"The UKCMRI will put Camden firmly on an international setting and at the forefront of the UK in the provision of medical facilities. We will be doing much to meet Camden Council's objectives for the area and the proposals will include a variety of community related initiatives. The consortium aims to work with local residents, to allay any fears that they may have regarding the proposals particularly in terms of safety, but also in its design."

The UKCMRI Programme Director, Fay Gillott, commented: "We are immensely pleased that we have now completed our key appointments for this significant project. CB Richard Ellis, architects HOK, and environmental consultants URS, each have considerable track records when it comes to delivering complex projects and their respective global experiences was an important consideration to us. Each firm recognized fully the benefits that the project will bring to the core interests of London and the UK, its health and the economy."

(CD/JM)