Plan for temporary site office at Maria Fidelis school.

Plans developed to create a temporary site office at Maria Fidelis school.

Plans for Maria Fidelis School

Plans developed by HS2 to create a temporary site office and welfare facility on the former Maria Fidelis school site, on North Gower Street and Starcross Street, were approved by Camden Council in November 2021.

These plans include welfare accommodation for HS2 site and management staff, and the Euston Skills Centre.

Euston Skills Centre

The Euston Skills Centre, which opened its doors to students in January 2024, was constructed by the HS2 team and its operation is part-funded by HS2 Ltd.

Camden Council hosted a launch event celebrating the new facility which will deliver skills training to students from the local area. The centre will help with workforce requirements for infrastructure and housing in Camden, as well as large national projects such as HS2.

Situated on the site of the old Maria Fidelis School overlooking the HS2 station site, students will benefit from close proximity to the HS2 project. HS2’s station construction partner, Mace Dragados joint venture, has left some utility services and systems exposed nearby which will act as a learning aid for students initially.

£4.1million has been made available from HS2 Ltd for the Euston Skills Centre, both for its construction and operation. MDJV completed the construction of the centre which spans two floors with a mix of workshops and classrooms.

Slide 1 of 3: L-R Huw Merriman MP, HS2 Minister; Sir Peter Hendy, Chair, The Euston Partnership; Cllr Georgia Gould, Leader, Camden Council; Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Planning, Regeneration and Skills

Slide 2 of 3: The Euston Skills Centre has been built by HS2 Ltd's Euston Station Construction partner for Camden Council. It opened in January 2024 taking students from the local area.

Slide 3 of 3: HS2 Minister, Huw Merriman MP talks to HS2 Euston Area Director, Andy Swift alongside Steve Boyle - a local Camden resident who works on the HS2 project after hearing about opportunities from the Camden skills fair.

Office and welfare facility

Works on-site commenced in December 2021 and good progress has been made. To date, foundation works, concrete and steel works and cabin installation works have been carried out and completed. Drainage and utilities works, and the installation of a new substation is near completion and we have started the fit-out of the building.

This project is the culmination of many years of work to bring forward plans to use this site to benefit both the community and HS2 whilst the new station is constructed. There has been extensive engagement with the public during this time, incorporating feedback where possible into the design.

You can view the full planning application on the London Borough of Camden Planning portal.