CONTRACT close has been achieved for the build of a new primary school in East Calder.
Construction will begin next month on the £18.3 million project, which will be delivered by Hub South East in partnership with West Lothian Council. Morrison Construction has been appointed main contractor.
The plans comprise a new school constructed adjacent to the existing one in Langton Road, East Calder, with the recently built Early Years extension retained. The designs, by NORR, feature a triangular shape building tipped to deliver ‘optimum’ energy performance and with smaller perimeter spaces grouped around larger ones.
Once complete in 2024, pupils will move over to the new building and the current school will be demolished.
Roddy Clark, Hub South East’s operations director, said, “A great deal of work has gone into the development and design of this project in the background, so reaching contract close is a significant milestone in making the new primary for East Calder a reality.
“Having already successfully delivered the award-winning inspiring learning space at Calderwood Primary, as well as the recent Winchburgh Schools development, we are proud to be further entrusted to take forward West Lothian Council’s latest investment in education and we look forward to working with our partners and the local community as the project progresses.”
Andrew McGuire, executive councillor for education, added, “In a challenging and volatile construction market, agreeing a fixed price of £18.3 million for the new school provides certainty for the council and the local community going forward.”
David Ewing, MD of Morrison Construction Building Central, commented, “We have a tremendous collaborative relationship built over many years with West Lothian Council and Hub South East. We are looking forward to East Calder becoming yet another fantastic school to add to the portfolio of award-winning projects we have built together, and providing the high-quality facilities that students and staff deserve.”
The project is jointly funded by Scottish and local government as part of the Learning Estate Investment Programme.
