An artist’s impression of the new hospital. White Arkitekter

The consortium behind plans for the new Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff has announced it has achieved financial close for the development.

The ACORN consortium, made up of Sacyr, Kajima Partnerships, and abrdn, with White Arkitekter as lead designer, has secured funding for the flagship cancer care facility, which is being designed in compliance with the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and is set to become on the UK’s most-sustainable hospitals.

The facility is also part of Velindre University NHS Trust’s Transforming Cancer Services in South East Wales mission.

The hospital will bring high-grade, sustainable services, offering patients and carers effective treatments.

Additionally, it will lead national and international research and innovation in cancer care.

Aviva Investors, Siemens, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, CaixaBank, Norinchukin, Nomura, and Nord/LB are among the financiers backing the project.

Work is expected to start on site later this month, with the first patients receiving treatment in spring 2027.

The centre is being designed to be one of the most-sustainable healthcare buildings in the country

Targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ sustainability rating, the building design prioritises local sourcing and natural materials with low-carbon footprints that promote health and wellbeing.

The scheme has a hybrid structural strategy, with mass-timber structure to public areas.

And, thanks to the use of materials such as hempcrete and mineral plasters that are breathable and flexible, a natural and calming environment will be created for patients, relatives, and staff.

The building is also designed to be all electric to supporting low energy demand and low operational carbon.

In addition, the design seeks to reduce the amount of material used through an extremely-compact and efficient building plan and optimised structural and material use strategy.

Externally, the new hospital will be surrounded by a landscape garden designed to ensure minimum impact on the site and to keep the Welsh landscape as wild as possible.

The landscape strategy aims to retain existing habitats and creating new habitats alongside new landscape spaces, such as an orchard with Welsh apple varieties and a community kitchen garden.

By designing informal playgrounds and a variety of walking, cycling and relaxation areas, play and movement in nature is also encouraged.

Michael Woodford, director of White Arkitekter’s London studio, said: “The aim is to create a low-carbon healthcare environment for the future, which complements the medical treatment of patients as well as offers a state-of-the-art workplace for staff.”

The landscape strategy aims to retain existing habitats and creating new habitats alongside new landscape spaces