CBRE sells former Air Traffic Control site at Bournemouth Airport to Parkfield School7th February 2014

CBRE has sold the former College of Air Traffic Control site at Bournemouth Airport to Parkfield School, one of the new generation of Free Schools. A variety of alternative uses were considered for the eight acre site, which was owned by National Air Traffic Systems (NATS) and previously housed NATS training and research functions in its 93,000 sq ft of buildings.

Parkfield School, which had spent some time looking for a suitable site, plans to relocate and be ready for the start of the new academic year in September 2015.

NATS College of Air Traffic Control was founded in 1937, moving to Hurn in 1949. For over 60 years it provided air traffic control training for all the UK’s air traffic control officers, as well as training facilities for Commonwealth and foreign governments, until it was relocated to a new purpose-built facility in Swanwick in August 2011.

John Macleod, NATS’ Senior Estates Surveyor, said: “Although this sale marks the end of an era for the old NATS College buildings, we are delighted that they will continue to be used as an educational facility. The College site will allow Parkfield School to cater for all of its needs, with a variety of existing classrooms, offices and catering block as well as space to develop a new Nursery and other outdoor facilities.

CBRE Associate Director, Emma Lockey said: “This is a great opportunity for Parkfield School to establish a much needed education facility in a building that was originally designed as an educational centre. We wish them every success for the future”

Parkfield School opened in September 2013 in an old eight-storey office block in the centre of Bournemouth with nearly 300 children aged from 4 to 14 years. It will eventually have nearly 800 students from age 4 to 19 years and potentially a nursery on site.