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09/08/2011
We are delighted to announce that Groundwork Hertfordshire and our partners Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust have formally submitted an application for planning permission for our new sustainably built office premises building at the University of Hertfordshire’s Bayfordbury campus. The submission for planning permission follows a period of discussions with the University, consultations and the development of a unique design for a flagship new eco building to house the offices and operations of both charities.
The new building will allow both organisations to expand their work and to explore opportunities to share resources. Both charities have outgrown their present locations in Hatfield and St Albans respectively and have been looking for some time for new accommodation that will allow them to continue their vital services for the communities and wildlife of Hertfordshire and beyond. The new building will also enable both charities to offer training and education activities at a bespoke site, with a specialist Environmental Education Room and outdoor horticultural training areas. It is also anticipated that the presence of Groundwork and Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust at Bayfordbury will facilitate increased collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire at a number of levels.
The prospective site at Bayfordbury (2 miles from Hertford) is owned by the University of Hertfordshire and currently provides a field centre for teaching, research in Environmental Studies and Astronomy and houses the Science Learning Centre for the East of England. Covering approximately 100 acres of land, the entire site is ideally suited to the study of environmental and conservation issues.
The site currently has a significant area of derelict and disused out-buildings and the footprint of this area will be transformed into a sustainable, new eco-building allowing the site to act as a working demonstration of environmental technology and efficiency. Following an initial feasibility study, architects were appointed and designs have been developed which enhance the historic parkland setting at Bayfordbury. The architects, Architype, are recognised as industry leaders in sustainable design, specialising in the green specification of materials and construction techniques.
The project will be considered for planning permission over the next three months and assuming it is successful, a fundraising campaign will be undertaken to fund the total cost of the building. Watch this space for further developments!
