A new cancer research centre with a three-storey basement has been approved in Harley Street.
The £26million laboratory, featuring the UK’s first proton beam unit, will see the Howard de Walden estate bulldoze two mews buildings in a cul-de-sac.
Medics believe the unit — one of only 40 similar facilities worldwide — could revolutionize UK cancer treatment.
But Marylebone residents living near Harley Street, which is famous for its row of private medical surgeries, claim the plans are unsuitable for the area and have expressed fears about potential radiation dangers and disruption caused by building works.
The plans were approved last week by Westminster City Council, despite being in contravention of its basement policy of only allowing single-storey digs.
Deputy Conservative council leader Robert Davis said “additional conditions” and the council’s new construction code of conduct would “mitigate the impact of this development on the local community”.
He added: “I can think of few better reasons to approve a development than creating a centre of excellence where people receive high quality medical care and attention, particularly for the treatment of an illness that affects so many of us.”
A letter from neighbours claimed experts had said there is insufficient information “to be able to comment on either the viability or safety characteristics” of the technology.
Simon Baynham, of Howard de Walden Estates, has previously said: “This Harley Street facility will make an important contribution to the advancement of next generation radiotherapy to the UK and carries no noise/radiation exposure/vibration risk.”
