BAM Construction has secured a £28.5m contract to build the new Benton Park School, as preliminary works begin on site
Leeds City Council granted planning permission for Benton Park School via the council’s LEP process.
The three-storey design includes a sheltered courtyard and will be built on the existing playing fields while the school remains fully operational throughout.
Once the school transfers into their new building, the existing buildings will be demolished to make way for a full size 3G pitch which will be available for community use.
John Scahill, BAM Construction’s pre-construction manager, said: “Benton Park will be a 1,500-place secondary school on the school’s existing site.
“Together with our architect partners at Bond Bryan, we’ve been helping to develop the design and obtain this new secured planning approval.
“Our construction arm will be supplemented by BAM Design delivering structural and MEP design and MEP installation is via BAM’s integrated Services Engineering business.
“This school has particular meaning for many of our team whose families have attended or are learning there now, and will experience the new build.
“We will bring our market-leading expertise and experience to it and as always, drive an agenda to help deliver local benefits for those around the school to make the most of the opportunity it offers.”
‘The heart of the community’
Kevin Barry, general manager of Leeds LEP Ltd, added: “Over recent months the new development at Benton Park School has been gaining momentum.
“It is fantastic news, that through the planning process, the hard work invested by all parties in designing, what I am sure will be an excellent educational and community centric facility, has been validated.
“I very much now, look forward to working with colleagues, to help turn the plans into reality.
“I always find it exciting watching a new building rising up out of the ground so to speak and hope that, as other pass the site, they will also join in the celebration of this new opportunity for the whole community.”
Delia Martin, headteacher of Benton Park School, added: “Staff and Governors cannot express enough, the relief and excitement we all feel that our students will finally be able to experience the high quality learning we provide, within an excellent physical educational environment.
“The plans which all parties have worked tirelessly on, look fantastic and it really will be a fabulous environment in which to work and learn.
“One of the things we are also looking forward to is our school being able to operate as a real hub at the heart of the community in which we work.
“This is something we have not been able to fully achieve with our current premises due to their condition and so we look forward to being able to work with community groups to offer an exciting range of facilities within our local community.”
The Benton Park School anticipates opening in the autumn 2021 term.
