Green light for Lincolnshire college’s new learning centre
A new bespoke learning centre for young people and adults studying at Boston College has been given the go-ahead – following support by planning experts at Marrons.
The two-storey Mayflower building – which is one of the Boston Town Deal projects – will provide high-quality further education training facilities alongside public access spaces, including a cafe, restaurant, and hair and beauty salon, which will be managed by the college and staffed by students to provide real work experience opportunities.
It will also include exhibition and events spaces, a digital hub, business incubation units for local start-up companies, conference facilities and meetings rooms, and 74 car and 60 bicycle parking spaces.
Claire Foster, Boston College principal and CEO said: “We are thrilled that planning permission for the iconic Mayflower, the flagship project of Boston’s Town Deal fund, has been granted. The state-of-the-art facility will provide a shining beacon of aspiration for higher level and adult education at a time when our town needs it most.”
The existing Ingelow Centre will be demolished to make way for the 1,940sqm building. The site, which was previously a care home, was acquired by Boston College to house its foundation learners, who will be moving into a newly-refurbished building based on the main Rochford Campus.
The project is part of a wider proposal that will deliver a high-quality public realm linking the Mayflower building the redevelopment of the adjacent leisure centre.
Construction work is due to commence on the Mayflower site in May 2023, with the iconic building opening to learners and members of the public in September 2024.