Wates gets contract for £30m campus

WATES Construction has been unveiled as the preferred contractor for the £30m Campus Whitehaven project in Cumbria.

Work is now likely to begin in February following the announcement by Cumbria County Council.

The campus proposal will include new state of the art facilities for St Benedict’s Catholic High School and Mayfield Special School and bring them together on the current St Benedict’s site replacing the buildings.

Partners including The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield Ltd, Copeland Borough Council, Copeland Community Fund, and Cumbria County Council are behind the scheme.

Jamie Reed MP, said: “This is huge step forward and we now have a clear timetable for work on the ground getting underway. There is now a fantastic opportunity for pupils and the local community to get involved in the design of the new campus.”

Tony Shenton, business unit director, Wates Construction North West, said: “The partners leading the development of Campus Whitehaven share a vision to create a state-of-the-art centre for learning and sport, and Wates’ extensive experience in education positions us as the ideal contracting partner to take this forward.”

Pete Lutwyche, the NDA’s chief operating officer said: “This project offers a unique opportunity for west Cumbria which will bring huge benefits to the community for many generations to come. The campus will help raise aspirations and attainment and ensure the area can make the most of the exciting opportunities on the horizon.”

Cllr David Southward, cabinet member for economic development and property, said: “This remarkable project has incredible potential to transform the education of young people in Whitehaven and improve the health and well-being of the whole community.

“With Wates coming on board today the project will start becoming much more real for local people who’ll be able to get involved and help shape what the campus will look like and how it will work.”