Laing O’Rourke has been named preferred construction partner for a new Cambridge cancer research hospital.

The firm will now develop the project, presently forecast to cost around £220m, through its next phase of design under a pre-construction services agreement.

Subject to planning and final funding approval, construction works are hoped to start next year at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

The seven-storey, 26,000 sq m facility is set to be the first hospital delivered in the East of England as part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme.

The appointment comes as NHS England and HM Treasury have approved the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital hospital’s outline business case.

The specialist cancer research hospital is a partnership between Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Cambridge and its Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre.

It will combine NHS clinical space with three new ground-breaking research institutes, focusing on accelerating the early detection of cancer and delivering precision cancer treatment.

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and Cambridge University Development and Alumni Relations are fundraising to secure additional significant donations needed for the hospital.

John Spicer, project director for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, said: “Working alongside colleagues at Laing O’Rourke will help bring innovation and unique expertise in modern methods of construction to the project, which will play an important role with our plans to build the East of England’s new cancer research hospital.”

The project has been designed by architect NBBJ and engineers Aecom which will also support the construction project and cost management.

Rory Pollock, healthcare sector leader from Laing O’Rourke said: “Having built 18 hospitals since 2010, we look forward to using our industry-leading experience to deliver this state-of-the-art cancer research hospital.

“We will maximise the use of modern methods of construction to bring real benefits in terms of programme and cost certainty.”

Laing O’Rourke were selected under the Crown Commercial Service’s Construction Works and Associated Services 2 (CWAS2) framework.

A full planning application for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital was submitted to Cambridge City Council in January and a decision is expected later this year. Construction works for the new hospital are due to start in 2024.