Writtle College’s new glasshouse will be officially opened at a ceremony on September 29.

The event will coincide with the Institute of Horticulture’s (IoH) AGM, which is due to be held at the college at the same time.

The glasshouse is split into two, with a corridor down the centre. The environmental conditions of each of the two ‘zones’ can be separately controlled, allowing crops to be grown in different conditions at the same time.

The 640m¬ square metre structure, which is partially funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, will be heated with a high-efficiency condensing boiler with dual fuel capacity, and will utilize a drainage system whereby rainwater can be collected for reuse.

Martin Stimson, the college’s Head of the School of Horticulture, said: “The construction of the research glasshouse will be of significant benefit to teaching and research activity within the College as well as providing the possibility to cater for companies specialising in fresh produce, bio degradable packaging and postharvest production practices.

“We are also delighted that the IoH have chosen Writtle College as the venue for their AGM. This is a honour and will enable some of the best horticulturists in the country the opportunity to see the excellent teaching facilities at the College.”