CONSTRUCTION has begun on a new office building for the Learning and Skills Council for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight at Segensworth, near Fareham.

The LSC has agreed a pre-let deal through joint agents King Sturge and CB Richard Ellis to relocate from its current premises in central Fareham to the new Eagle Point site in Little Farm Road. It will retain a presence on the Isle of Wight.

The Eagle Point site is owned by City Estates, part of ROK property solutions plc, which obtained planning permission for 2,700m (30,000ft) of office space. The LSC is taking 1,400m (15,000ft) at Eagle Point East on a lease in excess of 15 years, the remaining space being offered for rent on a speculative basis.

The LSC is the strategic planning and funding body responsible for all post-16 education and training in the area, except for universities. It has a local budget of more than £230m and aims to increase participation and achievement in education and training and to boost skill levels to meet business needs.

The move to Eagle Point East should take place in August 2004.

Hilary Chadwick, executive director of the LSC for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: "The new premises will provide a much better working environment for our staff and a more professional location in which to conduct business."

Tim Titheridge of City Estates said: "This is yet another significant pre-let for the company in a very prominent location.

"We are involved in a number of office schemes in the Solent corridor, all of which are attracting interest either on a leasehold or a freehold basis, and I am pleased to see the region bucking the national trend."

Richard Sturt of King Sturge said that, although pre-lets are rare at the moment, they offer occupiers many advantages.

He added: "The LSC will be able to influence the design and have control over the specification of Eagle Point East. This will enable the LSC to personalise the building to create a first-class working environment."