The Leadbitter Group has handed over the Ebbw Fawr Learning Community Primary Phase and Penycwm SEN School, the latest project in the redevelopment of the former steelworks in Ebbw Vale, south Wales.
Ebbw Fawr Learning Community, which opened at the beginning of this term, comprises a primary school for 420 pupils. Penycwm special educational needs school will accommodate 150 children, and there will also be an Integrated Children's Centre. Facilities include a large shared hall and dining space, cafe, hydrotherapy pool, sports halls and specialist teaching rooms.
The two storey steel frame building has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating and features a biomass heating system, solar thermal panels providing hot water for kitchens, washrooms and heating the pool, and a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system.
The £21 million project was built by Leadbitter on behalf of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and the Welsh Government. It forms part of The Works: Ebbw Vale – a multi-million pound redevelopment of the town’s former steelworks, which closed in 2002.
The Works Regeneration programme includes new education facilities, a sports complex leisure centre, low carbon housing, and the Central Valley Wetland Park, as well as proposed future developments that include an art centre, houses, businesses, commercial and further public buildings. The aim is to create sustainable development of the area by providing employment and encouraging lifelong learning opportunities.
Ebbw Fawr is the second educational facility Leadbitter has completed this year as part of the regeneration plans. The Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, which opened in September, offers a wide range of academic and vocational courses to 16 to 18 year olds.
Leadbitter provided employment for jobseekers and people leaving education or training during construction of the four-storey building, which has also been awarded a BREEAM Excellent rating. This included apprenticeships and training towards recognised construction industry qualifications.
Rob Bradley, Managing Director of Leadbitter’s Western division, said: “Constructing these two first-class learning environments at The Works has provided ample opportunity for Leadbitter to put our commitment to providing training opportunities and to engaging with the community into practice. We are delighted to have helped nurture the career aspirations of tomorrow’s construction professionals.”