Morgan Sindall has been appointed as preferred bidder for the first phase of a new education campus in Alconbury Weald, Cambridgeshire
The project forms the next phase of Urban&Civic’s delivery of Alconbury Weald, which currently includes homes, a primary school, community facilities, green spaces, play areas and over one million square foot of business space.
In total the development will comprise 5,000 new homes, health centre and retail hub, sustainable transport links, and over 500 acres of green space, including a country park.
The campus buildings will form an important landmark, and sit adjacent to a civic square, which will connect the schools to the wider community.
Morgan Sindall previously delivered the £8.9m Ermine Street Church Academy in 2016, which was the first school to open as part of the Alconbury Weald development.
The latest scheme embraces the County Council’s emerging policy regarding the ‘Nearly Zero’ energy agenda.
The Council is calling on Government, industry and regulators to implement the necessary changes to enable Cambridgeshire and the rest of the UK to reach net-zero carbon by 2030.
Transformational education projects
Jamie Shearman, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “It’s fantastic to have been selected as preferred bidder to deliver the first phase of this significant investment for Cambridgeshire County Council.
“Urban&Civic’s plans for Alconbury Weald promise to transform the area into a vibrant new community hub and the education campus will have pride of place at the heart of the project.
“Morgan Sindall Construction is an experienced delivery partner for transformational education projects such as this and we’re looking forward to having the opportunity to build on our experience in the sector to provide this much-needed resource for the local community.”
Simon Bywater, chair, Children and Young People’s Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, added: “The Alconbury Weald education campus is an important investment for the County Council, and I’d like to congratulate Morgan Sindall Construction on their appointment.
“The development will have great benefit for the community and will provide a high-quality education facility to all children and young people.”
A working partnership
The development will be driven by a working partnership between Morgan Sindall Construction, Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC), Huntingdon District Council (HDC), the Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust (DEMAT), the Spring Common Academy Trust (which will lead and manage the Prestley Wood Academy Special School) and the developer, Urban&Civic (U&C).
The schools are scheduled to open from September 2023/2024.
