Willmott Dixon builds four new schools in Powys

Willmott Dixon is building four new primary schools and a football clubhouse in Powys in a contract worth £20m.

Procured through the Powys, Ceredigion and Gwynedd local authority framework, the contract has been awarded by Powys County Council.

The project will involve building four primary schools to cater for pupils from 10 smaller schools in the catchment area located within a four mile radius of each other. The new schools are Ysgol Bro Tawe in Glanrhyd, Ysgol Golwg y Cwm in Ystradgynlais and Ysgol y Cribarth in Abercrave, which will complete in August, plus Ysgol Gymraeg Dyffryn y Glowr, a Welsh language school in Cwmtwrch Isaf, which will complete in January 2013.

The single-storey Ysgol Gymraeg Dyffryn y Glowr is being built on the grounds of Cwm Wanderers’ football clubhouse. To make way for the new educational facilities, Willmott Dixon has constructed a new clubhouse with playing fields in Lower Cwmtwrch, with the clubhouse now open and the playing fields to follow.

Willmott Dixon will be using timber frames for each of the four new primary schools and it is expected they will all achieve a BREEAM rating of excellent.
Neal Stephens, managing director of Willmott Dixon in Wales, said: “This is a significant project for us to be involved with and one which has involved a great deal of advanced planning and continued communication with all parties. Ensuring that the transition period is as efficient and transparent for pupils, staff and the local community will continue to be a focus for us.”

In addition, Willmott Dixon will be ensuring that materials produced from excavation remain on site and are re-used in a variety of ways, including the creation of level areas which will be transformed into playing fields and play areas for children attending the schools. The firm will be sourcing local subcontractors wherever possible to boost local employment and work experience opportunities.

Willmott Dixon is also working closely with pupils and teaching staff across Powys to provide expert insight into the construction process, donate equipment and materials and also to work alongside schools to launch educational projects and initiatives for the benefit of the local community.