July 18, 2018 9.27 am This story is over 68 months old

Praise for Boston College engineering centre designs

The centre is set for approval

A visual of the proposed EMAT centre.

A council officer has heaped praise on an ‘innovative and outstanding’ new Engineering, Manufacturing and Training (EMAT) Centre in Boston.

Boston College’s plans are due to appear before Boston Borough Council officers next Wednesday, when the recommendation is to grant the proposal.

Giving commendation to the centre in her report to councillors, development manager Lisa Hughes writes: “The proposed EMAT development would result in a building of innovative and outstanding design that will greatly enhance the built environment including the nearby heritage assets.

“The facility will provide social and environmental benefits whilst resulting in significant economic development for Boston and the surrounding areas.”

The two-storey site will provide ‘purpose-built accommodation for advanced technical skills training in manufacturing, engineering and technology’.

The 1457m2 facility, will be built on the corner of an existing car park opposite the Boston Conference and Management Centre on Skirbeck Road.

It will cater to approximately 150 students.

The building itself will consist of a ‘hub’ on the grounded floor leading into two engineering workshops (one clean, one dirty), a storage space, an electronics laboratory, changing rooms and a reception/staff office.

The upper floor will feature a CAD/CAM suite, a large classroom, two general classrooms, another staff office/workroom and a ‘break-out space’.

She also lavished praise on those responsible for the college’s current premises saying they ‘have tastefully renovated and re-designed a very functional and tired original building internally and externally to provide a modern, clean and professional environment that promotes learning and excellence’.

“The more modern extensions and new buildings also reflect this approach resulting in a campus that is almost unrecognisable from the former Boston College of Further Education,” she adds.

No objections have been received from the statutory consultees, with only a few comments made.