In April 2023, we were granted full planning permission (ref 2022/2255/P) for the new Children’s Cancer Centre (CCC) and main entrance for Great Ormond Street Hospital following an extensive pre-application engagement process.
Throughout the pre-application period, we received feedback from our neighbours, the Greater London Authority, London Borough of Camden (LBC) design officers and other stakeholders which helped us to develop our plans prior to submitting the planning application.
Following the granting of planning permission, we have been reviewing the project by way of design development and exploring refinements that can be made to the CCC for the benefit of our patients and neighbours. This includes opportunities to improve the design of the CCC, facilitate the Paul O’Gorman building playing a greater role in the main hospital complex and improving clinical circulation to ensure we can provide the highest levels of care.
This page provides further details on the proposed changes to the scheme along with responses to frequently asked questions.
View from Queen Square as consented
View from Queen Square as proposed
View from Tybalds Estate as consented
View from Tybalds Estate as proposed
Click to enlarge the images
We have identified a number of opportunities to improve the design of the CCC including:
Planning permission for these changes will be sought through the submission of an application to vary the permission granted in April known as a Section 73 Minor Materials Amendments (MMA) application. A Section 73 MMA is an application process that allows changes to be made to planning permissions without the requirement to resubmit the full planning application back to the Council. The application primarily focusses on the changes to be made to the planning permission rather than a complete reassessment of the principles previously approved.
Further information about the proposed amendments and associated benefits is provided below.
In the early twentieth century, the Paul O'Gorman building served as the primary entrance to the hospital and was physically connected to neighbouring buildings, including the Astor building to the east, demonstrating the building’s proven potential to connect to the wider estate in this location.
The subsequent development of the Frontage building separated the Paul O’Gorman building from the wider hospital campus to the east. As a result, the building is currently accessed through stepped entrances from Great Ormond Street and the Variety Club Building, as well as a steep ramp adjacent to the Peter Pan Garden.
The Trust and design team have therefore been investigating the possibility of re-connecting the Paul O'Gorman building to the wider estate by linking it to the CCC, whilst preserving the character of the building and its relationship to the local neighbourhood. Following feedback from our neighbours since the start of design development in 2016, retaining the historic Paul O’Gorman building has become an integral part of the design brief, and we are dedicated to upholding this commitment.
Rather than having two staircases side by side (one for the external escape stair for Paul O'Gorman and one for the west core of the CCC), we are proposing to deliver a single stair and lift core at the rear of the Paul O’Gorman building. This will involve the removal of the north-east rear bay of the Paul O’Gorman building which currently houses meeting areas, tea points, WC’s and stores at present which will be re-provided elsewhere. Physical openings will also be required in the east elevation to provide the link, but the remainder of the Paul O’Gorman building will remain unaffected.
The eastern gable of the Paul O’Gorman building today, showing the markings of the previous connection to the Astor building.
Composite archive drawing to illustrate the connectivity between the Paul O’Gorman Building, the Powis Place Clinical Wing and the Astor Building. The plan form of the Paul O’Gorman remains largely intact today.
The historic link between the Paul O'Gorman and wider estate would therefore be restored by implementing these minor amendments to the permitted scheme, and will significantly improve the layout, access and efficiency of the wider hospital complex. More information on these benefits is provided in the following sections.
Proposed removal of the north-east bay of the Paul O’Gorman building
Permitted and proposed changes to the ground floor layout
Rather than having two staircases side by side (one for the external escape stair for Paul O'Gorman and one for the west core of the CCC), we are proposing to deliver a single stair and lift core at the rear of the Paul O’Gorman building. This will involve the removal of the north-east rear bay of the Paul O’Gorman building which currently houses meeting areas, tea points, WC’s and stores at present which will be re-provided elsewhere. Physical openings will also be required in the east elevation to provide the link, but the remainder of the Paul O’Gorman building will remain unaffected.
The historic link between the Paul O'Gorman and wider estate would therefore be restored by implementing these minor amendments to the permitted scheme, and will significantly improve the layout, access and efficiency of the wider hospital complex. More information on these benefits is provided in the following sections.
Aerial view facing north - As consented
Aerial view facing north - As proposed
Permitted and proposed changes to the west core
It is proposed that the massing is broken up by a continuous brick ‘party wall’ that corresponds with the existing Paul O’Gorman gable wall.
A small number of changes are also proposed to the material finish of the internal northern façade to address long term maintenance concerns, and the external finish of the west and east elevations to better complement the local context.
Proposed changes to the north façade
Proposed changes to the south façade
Proposed changes to the west and east elevations
In response to the revised massing, there is an opportunity to improve clinical circulation in the CCC and provide a connection to the Paul O’Gorman Building at each floor level (ensuring its ongoing use within the hospital complex).
Whereas the wider hospital operates across a horizontal platform where floor levels in various buildings match, the Paul O’Gorman does not. Level changes between the Paul O’Gorman and CCC are proposed with ramps and steps where spatially feasible.
By making the Paul O’Gorman more accessible to the main complex, this will create the option for parts of the building to be used more productively in the future, but they will remain in use as offices for the moment.
The reception area will also be opened to take advantage of the relocated stair core. This will create a physical connection to Paul O’Gorman building to the west of the proposed main entrance space.
GOSH is committed to involving the community and key stakeholders throughout the planning and delivery stages of the new Children’s Cancer Centre. The feedback received from our neighbours, the Greater London Authority, London Borough of Camden (LBC) design officers which helped us to develop our plans.
The following layout amendments are proposed which have resulted from this feedback including:
We have provided responses to frequently asked questions below. Please click on the question to read the response.
Why are you proposing to make changes to the scheme after planning permission has been granted?
The planning permission (ref 2022/2255/P) comprising a new CCC and main entrance for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSHCCC) replaces the existing Frontage Building and Main Entrance site.
It is not unusual for changes to be made to schemes after the granting of planning permission. This is a normal part of design development.
We have been reviewing the project by way of design development and exploring refinements that can be made to the CCC for the benefit of our patients and neighbours. This includes opportunities to improve the design of the CCC, facilitate the Paul O’Gorman building playing a greater role in the main hospital complex and improving clinical circulation to ensure we can provide the highest levels of care.
What is a Section 73 Minor Material Amendments (MMA) application?
A Section 73 MMA is an application process that allows changes to be made to planning permissions without the requirement to resubmit the full planning application back to the Council. The Application primarily focusses on the changes to be made to the planning permission rather than a complete reassessment of the principles previously approved.
What is the Paul O’Gorman building currently used for?
The Paul O’Gorman building is a 5-storey building and is currently mixed use, including office accommodation, for example our outpatients booking team is based there.
Will the Paul O’Gorman Building become part of the CCC?
By making the Paul O’Gorman more accessible to the main complex, we will create the option for parts of the building to be used more productively in the future.
Will the works reduce the usable space within the Paul O’Gorman building?
Accommodation within the north-east rear bay of Paul O’Gorman is limited in terms of space and use. The areas presently comprise ancillary accommodation such as tea points, WC’s and stores, with a small number of meeting areas.
The creation of an opening in the east elevation will not impact on any existing accommodation within the Paul O’Gorman building.
Will you be demolishing any buildings as part of the S73 application?
The proposals rely on the removal of the north-east rear bay of Paul O’Gorman. Physical openings in the east elevation of the Paul O’Gorman will provide connection to the CCC.
What changes are you proposing to the front entrance bay / reception area of the CCC?
The reception area will be opened up to take advantage of the relocated stair core and riser. This will create a physical connection to Paul O’Gorman to the west of the proposed main entrance space.
What material changes are you proposing to the façade?
South elevation
Material finishes remain consistent, using a combination of buff coloured reconstituted stone and red brick. The set back stair and lift volume to the west of the brick ‘party wall’ are to be clad in a red composite panel consistent with the hospital facing elevation proposals.
North elevation
The proposed material finish has been updated to the internal north façade to include composite fibre cement panels in lieu of render to address long term maintenance concerns. The colour palette has also evolved to respond to the emerging interior design strategy.
West and East Elevations
Updates will remain consistent with the north elevation panel materials.
Will the amendments have a visual impact on the Conservation Area?
The proposed amendments will deliver localised improvements to visual impacts in the conservation area, particularly in views from the west. There are not likely to be a material change to the previous conclusions of the perceived impacts of the permitted scheme on the significance of the Bloomsbury Conservation Area and nearby listed buildings.
When are you submitting a planning application?
The application will be submitted in summer 2023.
When do you expect the planning application to be decided?
We are hopeful for a decision on the planning application in October 2023.
When will construction start and will this application increase the overall construction period?
Subject to planning permission, initial demolition works is expected to commence in early 2024. The works to the West Core demolition will be carried out in parallel with the main demolition of the Frontage building.
How will the proposals impact on the demolition programme?
Linking the PO’G to the CCC means there is a slight addition overall in terms of amount of building demolished. This will take 55 weeks to complete.
How will construction vehicles be managed?
The Deconstruction and Construction Management Plan (DCMP) will be agreed with the Council. This will set out how matters such as construction vehicle movement and construction hours will be managed.
All of the methods and waste removal will exist through the frontage building, as per the current proposals, and hoardings will also remain the same as in the permitted scheme.