Esh’s commercial build division is due to break ground in the coming weeks to construct a new primary school in Sunderland. The new school, which is expected to be opened for teaching in September 2021, will be one-and-a-half form entry and have the capacity for 315 pupils.
Sunderland City Council gained planning approval earlier this year, to transform the site of the demolished Maplewood School into the home of the new Willow Fields Primary School. Located in the north area of Sunderland, the one-storey building will replace the current school, which is located on a nearby site and has been assessed as being in ‘poor condition’.
The development includes all associated external works, the creation of a car park, multi-use games area and playground facilities.
This latest win for Esh marks a positive step for the company to build on its experience in the education sector, having recently commenced work on site in County Durham to deliver the new £7.4m Bowburn Primary School, and earlier this year completing a £2m two-storey extension at Poplars Farm Primary School in Bradford.
Gary Dobson, Divisional Director at Esh Construction, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract for Willow Fields School, with works due to start on site late-August. We have delivered over £60m of work in the education sector in the past few years alone, this is a great opportunity to further expand our portfolio within the sector and provide a first-class education facility for Sunderland.”
“This City Council has and always will strive to ensure that there are sufficient, suitable, high quality schools, academies and colleges for all our young people. The design is from our own in-house (Capital Projects) team and we look forward to working with Esh and everyone across the community on the new Willow Fields.”
