Maggie’s cancer charity has applied for planning permission for a new centre to be built alongside the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff.
The facility, designed by award-winning architectural practice, Dow Jones Architects, will significantly enhance the cancer care and support already offered at the Velindre Cancer Centre – the largest cancer centre in the country providing specialist cancer services to more than 1.5 million people in Cardiff, Newport and beyond.
Patients will be able to access the huge range of support services that Maggie’s offers, including psychological support, benefits advice, nutrition workshops, relaxation and stress management, art therapy, tai chi and yoga.
Applying for planning permission brings us a step closer to Maggie’s South East Wales becoming a reality
Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie’s, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Velindre Cancer Centre and Dow Jones Architects. The emotional and practical impact on people with a cancer diagnosis and their families and friends is devastating as they face one of life's biggest challenges. Applying for planning permission brings us a step closer to Maggie’s South East Wales becoming a reality.”
The centre will be warm and welcoming, full of light and open space, located in a mature garden with views over the surrounding landscape, and built from the same sandstone as the nearby hills. The interior will be lined with fragrant cedarwood, creating a range of spaces reflecting traditional Welsh architecture.
Simon Dean, chief executive of Velindre NHS Trust, said: “I am very excited by the prospect of working closely with a range of partners to realise our vision of a world-class cancer campus which meets the individual needs of each patient. Maggie’s centres are renowned for providing cancer patients and their families with high-quality, expert support services and our partnership with the charity demonstrates our shared desire to provide excellent and seamless services to patients.”
The building and the landscape will have an intimate relationship, with the different rooms grouped around a central courtyard and opening into woodland gardens. The gardens will be designed by Cleve West, a Royal Horticultural Society Gold Medallist and ‘Best in Show’ winner at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and will include spaces to grow food and walk among the trees.
