Plans are moving ahead for a new net zero carbon youth centre in Knoll Park.
A planning application has been submitted for the purpose-designed youth centre, offering a dedicated space for advice and support services for young people and families in the local area.
The Knoll Park youth centre has been successful in its bid to receive funding from the Youth Investment Fund Pilot, following a bid from The Hangleton & Knoll Project and Brighton & Hove City Council.
The bid was chosen for its quality of youth work, strong community connections and the council’s commitment to the project.
The youth centre is just one of 4 youth-based projects across England that were successful in their bids.
As well as offering support throughout the planning and construction stages of the project, the Youth Investment Fund Pilot scheme will entirely fund the construction of the new youth centre. This includes groundworks, landscaping and other associated construction costs.
The youth centre will offer The Hangleton & Knoll Project and partner organisations double the existing capacity for a variety of youth services.
Joanna Martindale, Chief Executive Officer of Hangleton & Knoll Project, said: “‘At a time when children and young people face unprecedented challenges, it is wonderful to have investment in local resources and facilities to support them.
“We look forward to working with the council and other partners to give young people opportunities and activities in the west of the city.”
Housed services at the youth centre could include employment training, wellbeing workshops and other specialist support sessions.
Plans for the youth centre have been developed following feedback received in the public consultation carried out by The Hangleton & Knoll Project in November.
While the focus of the project is to improve youth facilities at Knoll Park, net zero carbon is at the forefront of the design, construction and management of the youth centre moving forward.
The new building will be highly energy efficient, powered by renewable energy sources and will use the latest low carbon technology.
It has been designed to complement the existing Knoll Park brick pavilion and reduce the environmental impact on the surrounding green landscape.
The project will be part of a trial to test modular off-site construction, which is faster than traditional build routes. This is part of a national movement towards embracing modern methods of construction.
A decision on the planning application will be made on 18 April 2023.
All documents relating to the application can also be viewed on the council’s planning register, by searching for application reference number BH2023/00361.
The easiest way to comment on the application and to receive updates on the project is to register with our planning system.
Anyone can provide comments at the planning application stage. Planning officers will consider all comments in their assessment, along with expert advice and representations from neighbours and other local stakeholders.
