Wates wins £280 million Luton schools build

Luton Borough Council, QED Wates and Building Schools for the Future Investments have reached a financial agreement to construct Lutons £280million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

Wates-led QED Wates will rebuild or refurbish all Luton's 13 secondary schools over the next four years., starting withe Challney High School for Girls, where building works have already started (on 25 May). This will be followed by Lea Manor High School, and Luton's two academies: Barnfield West and Barnfield South, where work will commence next Monday, 8 June.

Wates will also build a community library, a theatre, adult education and youth facilities and multi-agency office space. In addition, the partnership set up by the council and Wates will be used to deliver social housing, leisure projects,including the 50m Luton aquatic centre, primary schools and other community facilities.

QED Wates plans to use local labour, suppliers and subcontractors and to train 260 apprenticeships during the four years of the programme.