Building Briefs: School rises from ashes, Shared Earth moves to Merrion, and more

A £20.5m project to replace a school in Derby destroyed by fire two years ago and redesigned by a Yorkshire architecture firm is nearing completion.

Sinfin Community School is being transformed by Sheffield-based Race Cottam Associates into a modern complex.

Now, Race Cottam has submitted plans to Derby City Council for a second facility at the 1,000-plus pupil school. 

The second facility will convert the school’s existing library and science block into a building comprising a vocational skills centre with rooms dedicated for catering and engineering courses.

Subject to planning permission, the start of the building work is anticipated to start in November.

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TOWN Centre Securities, advised by Savills, has let 40 Woodhouse Lane at the Merrion Centre in Leeds to Shared Earth.

The fair trade retailer, which will be relocating to larger premises within the centre, has agreed a 10-year lease on the property, which totals 2,318 sq ft, and will pay an annual rent of £47,500. The new store will open this month.

Shared Earth was represented by Towlers.

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BOND Bryan Architects has won the education category at the Bradford District Design Awards for its innovative design of Bradford Academy.

The Bradford District Design Awards reward good design, raise awareness of design issues and encourage a visually attractive, livable and sustainable 21st Century designs.

The £20m academy, for pupils aged 11 to 18, is co-sponsored by the charity Toc H and by the Diocese of Bradford and it replaces Bradford Cathedral Community College. 

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DTZ has advised Edexcel on the acquisition of Rion House, its second industrial warehouse on Hellaby Industrial Estate in Rotherham.

Edexcel, the UK’s largest examining and awarding body, has taken the detached industrial unit with two storey ancillary office accommodation, comprising 33,561 sq ft for a term of 12 years, at a rent equivalent to £4.15 sq ft.

Hellaby Industrial Estate is an established industrial park situated on junction 1 of the M18, six miles to the east of Rotherham.

Philip Caspell of DTZ comments:  “It is great to have assisted Edexcel in their search for an additional facility in this area. Edexcel are part of the world’s largest educational organisation, being part of the Pearson Group, and now occupy over 80,000 sq ft on Hellaby Industrial Estate.”