The ACORN consortium has achieved financial close for the £180m Velindre Cancer Centre project in Cardiff.

Contractor Sacyr UK will now start work on the 350,000 sq ft specialist cancer hospital, which is being bought forward using the Welsh Government’s new public private partnership model.

Velindre University NHS Trust appointed the ACORN consortium to deliver the project 18 months ago. It consists of Kajima Partnerships, Sacyr, Abrdn, Andrew Scott, Kier Facilities Services, White Arkitekter, MJ Medical, Turley, Studio Response, Camlins Landscape Architects, Osborne Clarke, Operis and Confab Lab.

Under the Mutual Investment Model agreement ‘soft FM’ services would be retained by the contracting authority and elements of ‘hard FM’ services would be carried out by Kier Facilities during the operational phase of the contract. The Trust will take a stake of up to 15% in the project.

The project, which targets BREEAM ‘Excellent’, is designed to be all-electric, supporting low energy demand and low operational carbon.

A strategy is in place to reduce site waste through off-site manufacture of components to minimise transportation and create efficiencies in the construction and maintenance of the hospital.

The design, led by White Arkitekter, has been developed to ensure minimum impact on the site.

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. The scheme also seeks to create informal play areas and a multitude of walking, cycling and relaxation areas.

Richard Coe, Project Director, Kajima Partnerships, said: “It is fantastic to achieve financial close on this exemplary new hospital, and we look forward to seeing the building take shape during the construction period.

“The project represents a paradigm shift in sustainable healthcare, providing cutting-edge facilities and treatment in a building that has been designed with sustainable material innovation, community inclusion and a commitment to preserving the environment at its forefront.”