Planning permission has been granted for a new Maggie’s cancer support centre to be built within the grounds of Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
The purpose-built facility will offer expert emotional, practical, and psychological support to people living with cancer, as well as their families and friends.
Designed by Níall McLaughlin Architects, the centre will feature a warm and inviting kitchen area
The new centre will replace the current interim Maggie’s site, which has been operating from a converted residential building on the hospital campus since 2012.
It is anticipated that the new facility will open its doors by 2028.
A purpose-built haven for cancer support
Designed by Níall McLaughlin Architects, the centre will feature a warm and inviting kitchen area, a winter garden, private rooms for one-to-one consultations, and larger flexible spaces for group sessions, exercise classes, and workshops.
The building’s design has been carefully considered to integrate with the existing woodland surroundings.
The development has been welcomed by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The landscape proposals, created by acclaimed garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith, will provide a tranquil outdoor space for reflection and relaxation — an essential part of Maggie’s holistic approach to cancer care.
Dame Laura Lee DBE, Chief Executive of Maggie’s, expressed her enthusiasm for the development, said: "We are delighted to have received planning permission to build our new, purpose-designed Maggie’s in Cambridge. We have worked closely with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for many years to ensure people with cancer, and their loved ones, have access to free expert support. It is wonderful to be one step closer to creating a centre designed specifically with their needs in mind."
Expanding support for the region
In 2024 alone, the current centre provided support on nearly 10,000 occasions. The new facility is expected to significantly increase this capacity, potentially tripling the number of people it can support each year.
The building’s design has been carefully considered to integrate with the existing woodland surroundings
Lisa Punt, Centre Head of Maggie’s Cambridge, said: "We have supported many people from our converted hospital staff residences, but to have a larger, purpose-built centre will allow us to offer a broader programme and reach even more people living with cancer. A beautiful garden space for people to pause and decompress will also be a wonderful addition."
A community collaboration
The development has been welcomed by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Dr Hugo Ford, Director of Cancer Services, commented: "We are absolutely delighted with Maggie’s wonderful news. The organisation has provided fantastic support to this Trust and our patients for many years. We know first-hand the enormous contribution Maggie’s makes to the wellbeing of our patients, and this new centre will enhance their invaluable services even further."