Parsons Vehicle Workshop and Depot in Washington is set to be redeveloped in a £9.1 million contract as Esh Construction is appointed as main contractor.
Esh’s commercial build division will demolish the existing workshop and build a new council depot building which will house workshop spaces and office accommodation. A security gatehouse will service the entrance to the site, leading to fleet, staff and visitor parking facilities, a fuel station, and a large barn capable of storing 7,500 tonnes of salt for road gritting supplies.
Chris Hale, Estimating Director at Esh Construction, said: “We are delighted to be delivering this development on behalf of Sunderland City Council who is one of our valued and long-standing clients within the region. This is a key win for Esh and further strengthens our commercial build portfolio with over £72 million of projects underway or due to commence.
“The contract award is the result of a huge effort by our Pre-Construction Team led by Manager, Ray Nugent, and I would like to extend a personal thank you for their work on securing the contract.”
Procured via NEPO, the development will provide a new strategic asset for Sunderland City Council and will house frontline services for fleet management, highways operations, refuse collection, horticultural services and seasonal road gritting.
Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Graeme Miller said: “Our City Plan is about delivering a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant Sunderland, and it includes a commitment to making the city carbon neutral by 2040.
“As the council invests in new and lower carbon technology, including its vehicle fleet, we are looking to the new facilities and structures that are needed to support frontline services and their important work.
“The redevelopment of Parsons is helping to ensure we continue to deliver and have the capacity for further frontline service investments.
“We look forward to this partnership and redevelopment work at Parsons with Esh.”
Laura Kyle, Category Specialist at NEPO, said: “NEPO207 Building Construction Works provides North East public sector organisations with a compliant route to procure design and build projects. Sunderland City Council’s appointment of Esh will achieve positive outcomes beyond the construction site, through local jobs and community initiatives that deliver real social value.”
Construction is set to get underway in early summer 2021 and will be delivered by Esh in partnership with Howarth Litchfield Architects, Portland Consulting Engineers and Desco.
To assist in achieving future green energy requirements, the depot will include a solar PV and battery storage system which is being match funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
We are delighted to be delivering this development on behalf of Sunderland City Council who is one of our valued and long-standing clients within the region. This is a key win for Esh and further strengthens our commercial build portfolio with over £72 million of projects underway or due to commence.”
