Morrison Construction reaches close on £60m schools project

Topic Contracts

Date 29 Jul 2020

Morrison Construction has reached financial close on a contract to build a primary and two new secondary schools in Winchburgh, West Lothian.

The £60.5m project is being delivered for West Lothian Council by its development partner Hub South East, with Morrison Construction appointed as the main contractor – the same team that successfully delivered the award-winning West Calder High School.

Winchburgh is one of West Lothian's three Core Development areas which will see a significant number of new homes being built over the next 10 years. The proposed schools project includes:

  • A replacement Holy Family Primary School with initial capacity for 231 pupils - this includes a 64 place nursery.
  • A non-denominational secondary school – Winchburgh Academy - with initial capacity for 660 pupils.
  • A denominational secondary school – Sinclair Academy - with initial capacity for 660 pupils.
  • A shared physical education and community block with floodlit synthetic and grass sports pitches, and a 25m swimming pool.

Construction begins in August with all facilities open and in use in 2023.

Eddie Robertson, Managing Director for Morrison Construction Building Central, said: “This is an ambitious project that will really transform the education provision for children in the area. We are delighted that West Lothian Council has trusted us with such an important scheme and look forward to working with them to provide high-quality facilities for the staff and pupils of the three schools.”

Scott Brown, Hub South East’s Projects Director, commented: “A great deal of work has gone into the development and design of this project in the background, so reaching contract close is a significant milestone in making the new schools for Winchburgh a reality.

“Having already successfully delivered the award-winning inspiring learning space at West Calder, we are proud to be entrusted to take forward West Lothian Council’s latest investment in education and we look forward to working with our partners and the local community as the project progresses.”

West Lothian Executive Councillor for Education, David Dodds, added: “This is a significant step forward in what is an enormous investment in education within West Lothian and the local economy, as a whole. We are delighted that significant progress is being made on this ambitious programme.

“The new schools and facilities will provide local people with fantastic facilities for generations to come and we’re very proud to be delivering this project.”