Contractor appointed for sustainable school

Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Newport City Council to deliver significant improvements to Bassaleg Comprehensive School that will create over 300 extra school places.

Procured using the SEWSCAP3 framework by the council’s property partner Newport Norse, the project will see the creation of a three-storey teaching block which contains dining and assembly areas, as well as 3G sports facilities, playing fields and associated external works.

The contractor said sustainability will play a key role in the development, with the teaching building incorporating a wide range of energy efficient methodologies, including an enhanced building envelope to maximise airtightness, alongside triple glazed windows. The roof will also feature an array of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, harnessing renewable energy.

Councillor Deb Davies, Cabinet Member for Education said: “Funding from the council and the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme has given us an opportunity to improve the environment for pupils, which in turn will enhance the learning experience. It also helps us to respond to the increased demand for places as our city continues to grow.”

Bassaleg Comprehensive School is the latest scheme to be delivered with matched funding from the Welsh Government through its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

According to Willmott Dixon this project marks the latest milestone in the company’s sustainable schools building programme, underpinned by its sector-leading sustainability strategy, Now or Never, where the company has committed to ensuring all new building projects and major refurbishments will achieve net-zero operational carbon by 2030.