Delivering a flagship education and skills centre through strategic planning support
The Mayflower represents one of the most significant investments in Boston’s education and skills landscape in recent years. Designed as a purpose‑built centre for higher‑level and adult education, the building provides state‑of‑the‑art teaching environments, real‑world training facilities and a range of public‑facing amenities that support both learners and the wider community.
Acting as planning consultants for Boston College, we played a central role in moving the project from concept through to planning approval, ensuring the scheme could secure vital Towns Fund support and progress toward delivery.
Location: Boston, Lincolnshire
Client: Boston College
Sector: Community, education and healthcare
Funding: £9.9m Town Deal investment
Project team: Jacqueline Jackson
Creating a new centre for aspiration and opportunity
Boston College’s ambition was to create an inspirational, future‑focused learning environment – a place that would raise aspirations and act as a catalyst for economic renewal. The two‑storey Mayflower building delivers:
- Flexible higher‑education classrooms
- Digital skills and innovation spaces
- Public café 1620
- The relocated fine‑dining restaurant Eden
- A student‑run hair & beauty salon
- Start‑up business units
- Conference and community event spaces
Following construction commencement in May 2023, the building opened on 10 November 2025 and is now fully operational, welcoming both students and the public.
Our role
We worked closely with Boston College, the design team and the local planning authority to prepare and submit a robust, policy‑aligned application. Our work included:
- Coordinating the planning strategy from concept to submission
- Ensuring alignment with the Boston Town Deal vision and regeneration priorities
- Supporting the development of the educational, economic and community case for investment
- Providing planning advice on design, use, and integration of public‑facing facilities
This strong foundation helped secure planning permission and unlocked the Town Deal funding essential for delivery.
Funding and delivery
The government approved £9.9 million Town Deal funding, complemented by:
- £725,000 capital co‑funding from the College
- £5.546 million in revenue costs committed over five years
By the time it opened in November 2025, the scheme was already acting as a magnet for skills, enterprise and community activity – with business units, digital hubs and public amenities available from day one.
The result
The Mayflower now stands as a transformative education and community hub at the heart of Boston’s regeneration ambitions. As highlighted by Boston College’s Principal and CEO:
“This investment marks an exciting innovation in skills and community inclusion… bringing students, employers and local partners together under one roof to create new opportunities.”
Through our strategic planning leadership, we helped the College secure consent and funding for a project that is already delivering new skills, enhanced opportunities, and significant economic and social value for the town.
