The school’s £4.2m construction, delivered by North West contractor Seddon, realises a key commitment in the section 106 agreements of a new 895-home development in Leicestershire
A total of 210 new primary school places have been brought to Castle Donington after contractor Seddon completed its 47-week construction of a brand new school for the area.
The new school was vital for the tri-consortium of housebuilders – Miller Homes, Redrow and Clowes Developments – to gain planning permission for the new 895-home development, with the school’s construction a key requirement implemented by Leicestershire County Council as part of section 106 agreement conditions. Seddon has delivered the £4.2m project in time for the new school year, a huge win for the local community, facilitating the demand for new school places as a result of the development.
Family-owned contractor Seddon’s track record of delivering £70m of education facilities across the North West and Midlands in recent years, makes it the perfect delivery partner for the tri-consortium. The single-storey, 1332m² building situated on Welston Road sits at the heart of the new housing development and will form an important part of the community, echoing Seddon’s commitments to construction projects which add social value to the communities they work within.
Leicestershire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for children and families Councillor Deborah Taylor said: “It’s been great to see the work on this new school in Castle Donington coming along over recent months.
“As communities grow, the council works really hard to make sure they have the services and facilities in place to make them great places to live. This new school is a great building and demonstrates the results of all that effort. I look forward to it opening its doors to its first pupils so they can start their learning in a fantastic environment.”
Stuart Fanshaw, business unit director at Seddon added: “Seddon is built on the foundation and belief that people make places, so to build a school in the heart of a new Leicestershire community represents a project deep-rooted in our core values. It’s important to meet the demand for school places and help deliver high-quality education to the next generation in the area as we continue our growth in the region.”
Sustainable and environmental measures were key to the project as the contractor continues with its net zero commitments. 98% of the waste produced was recycled off-site with 85% of the project’s subcontractors located within a 30-mile radius of Derby to minimise its carbon footprint. Topsoil throughout the site was also reused, with recycled wood used in the school’s reception and the soft play area.
People from Seddon worked together with the surrounding community to understand their views on the project. Fanshaw said this was “to maintain a positive relationship with the neighbouring houses while the project was in development.”
“We also accommodated feedback from Gleeds, Academy and Leicestershire County Council, on the back of regular site visits, as we executed an adaptable construction model throughout the project to make sure the school became a well-valued addition to this new development.”
Construction of the 10990m² site was completed in early July, with Foxbridge Primary School moving into the property ahead of the new school year in September.