World-renowned hospital's expansion will hurt house prices, say Chelsea residents

Published: 01:59, 15 April 2026 | Updated: 01:59, 15 April 2026 Locals in a wealthy London neighbourhood have objected to the expansion of a world-leading cancer hospital - insisting it will send their house prices plummeting. Developers argue plans to modernise the Royal Marsden hospital in Chelsea are essential to make it 'fit for the future', through the construction of a new seven-storey building. A feedback portal opened last week on the council website - and objections from well-heeled residents have already rolled in, citing concerns over 'noise', 'pollution' and an alleged 'loss of light' to houses on the street. One person said: 'I wish to object to the proposed planning application. This redevelopment will lead to multiple years of noise, air pollution, construction dust and traffic disturbances directly affecting me. 'It will cause a loss of privacy as a result of the redeveloped building directly overlooking into our home, an overbearing sense of enclosure and light deprivation, as well as irrepairable harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area.  'Property value will be greatly affected by this project during and after the proposed redevelopment.' The owner of a grade-II listed townhouse, worth an estimated £6 million, said: 'The scale and impact of this development will inevitably reduce the value of my home and may render it significantly less attractive, or even unviable, as a residential property.'  Developers argue plans to modernise the Royal Marsden hospital (pictured) in Chelsea are essential to make it 'fit for the future' Another opponent described the proposal as 'horrendous' and an 'overbearing incursion to all neighbours'. They added: 'Five years of construction, noise and air pollution in an area I moved into quite specifically for it's tranquillity which is one of the key attractions to the area. 'On a personal note possible loss of sunlight would be a great loss, whereas others in local vicinity will also suffer the aforementioned incursions on their daily lives, it will further afield cause traffic rerouting & disruptive disturbances, can't fail to see how this will concoct nothing more than a mental and physical headache in the area.  'The Marsden was considered when moving into the area but it's quiet nature was taken into consideration, turning into a ten story high building will loose this aesthetic and simply become an eyesore.' Denise Barron, a businesswoman who lives on Chelsea's Sydney Street, said she objected because the development because it would 'block sunlight' from reaching her home. She said: 'It's a wonderful hospital but it's just the effect it will have on my property,' adding the development would 'absolutely' affect the value of her home. The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust describes the hospital as 'one of Europe's leading comprehensive cancer centres, that sees and treats over 60,000 NHS and private patients every year'. A planning statement adds: 'The massing of the Proposed Development reflects a careful balance between addressing the local context and the clinical space needs of the hospital.  Catherine, Princess of Wales during a visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital on January 14, 2025 The Princess of Wales, 44, told patients and staff at The Royal Marsden hospital in London that 'I am thinking of you all'  'The design has been informed by demand modelling which has been based on a series of future service assumptions and analysis of historic trends.' However, one local alleged a 'loss of more than 50 per cent light on homes on Stewarts Grove including our roof terrace' as well as an 'increased delivery traffic on Stewarts Grove'. They concluded, 'and it's so massive it is visible from St. Lukes Park'. However, some residents have given the application their support. One person said: 'I strongly support this development. I cannot think of a more worthy reason to extend this historic medical site than to better support people suffering from cancer relying on our state funded healthcare.' Another added: 'Myself and my husband have both received care at The Royal Marsden at this location.  'Early diagnosis of cancer has increased the number of procedures and care to enable patients to survive.  'The Royal Marsden is well known for its pioneering treatments and so to extend the size of the current building to increase the possibilities of dealing with as many more patients as possible, can only be an enormous benefit to the treatment of cancer.'  The hospital, opened in 1851 as the world's first dedicated cancer hospital, is also known as where the Princess of Wales received treatement. Only last month, Kate dedicated a beautiful bouquet of yellow narcissi to the hospital, accompanied by a touching message to patients and staff. She said: 'To the Patients and Staff at The Royal Marsden, As spring arrives, these narcissi from the Isles of Scilly are to say I am thinking of you all.' The Royal Marsden's major redevelopment plans would see the creation of a new building towards the rear of the site through the demolition of existing buildings. A new extension consisting of basement, ground plus six storeys; a frontage building consisting of ground plus two storeys and a winter garden consisting of ground plus two storeys would form part of the development. The NHS trust said the changes would increase capacity by up to 50 per cent. Residents, patients and community groups have been consulted about the plans over the last few years - with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea expected to make a decision at the end of June. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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