Our sports facilities at the Hitchin campus are in urgent need of upgrading. Our sports hall is nearly 50 years old, has a leaking roof and high maintenance costs.
Our sports curriculum is changing to reflect national priorities and industry expectations. We need to ensure that our facilities are modernised and fit for purpose to deliver higher level technical qualifications.
The new facilities will include a multi-purpose sports hall with changing areas and a gym, a new 3G football pitch and sports science teaching facilities. Having industry-standard facilities will enable us to remain a successful college and help meet the demands of the local economy now and in the future. NHC students will gain the skills and competitive edge they need to gain employment in the sports and leisure industries.
To facilitate our new sports proposals, we plan to sell a portion of our land to CALA Homes (North Home Counties), which, in addition to helping to improve the College, will also help to meet local demand for new homes. CALA will create new homes on the south-east side of the site, including areas of public open space.
The residential part of the development will see the construction of around 120 new homes within a high quality and considered residential development. Landscaping and the provision of Public Open Space will enhance the scheme and it is being designed to minimise the impact on existing, adjacent residential properties.
Placemaking and good design is at the heart of CALA’s ethos and this is embedded in our approach to the development across the sites.