Excavators move in to lay foundations of new primary school in Longford

The £3 million Longford Park Primary Academy is being delivered by Robert Hitchins Ltd as part of the planning obligations linked to a development of circa 570 new homes, a local centre and public open spaces at Whittington Park and Horsbere Mews off Longford Lane.

At the groundbreaking in Clock Tower Road, Steve Mason, Senior Surveyor for Robert Hitchins Ltd said: “Robert Hitchins is proud to be financing this school. We put together the right team – construction company E G Carter and designers Quattro, both from Gloucester. We had great input from the county council. We now have a a dynamic and engaged team creating a fantastic facility which will benefit the whole community.”

Ashley Baker, Commercial Manager for the appointed contractor E G Carter & Co Ltd from Gloucester, added:

“Unlike many of the other schools we have delivered locally, in this instance we have been commissioned by Robert Hitchins Ltd rather than the county council.

Our friends at the county council are nevertheless very actively involved, and it’s refreshing that Robert Hitchins continues to take an active role in the project.

“We’d like to compliment Robert Hitchins and their employers’ agent Ward Williams Associates from Elmbridge Court not just for the professional manner in which the procurement was undertaken but more so for the collaborative manner that we at E G Carter & Co Ltd are familiar with.

"We should all be proud that this prestigious local project is being delivered by local companies with local people.

There to cheer the project on were a group of schoolchildren, as well as headteacher-in-waiting Liam Hinkley who takes up his role when the school opens in September 2017.

“It’s a really exciting event. Our vision is ‘ready to learn, ready to grow’ and once the school opens, we will be flying high at Longford Park," he said.

Robert Hitchins Ltd, based at Boddington, Gloucestershire, is one of the leading property developers in the South West and South Wales. It deals with the full process from site acquisition and planning through to development and investment.

After a phased opening, the school is expected to grow to a 1 form entry, eventually accommodating up to 210 children from Reception to Year 6. More information can be found at www.longfordpark.org.uk