Conlon Construction Ltd - "Magnificent": Prime Minister Tony Blair Praises Conlon Construction's Groundbreaking New-Build School

The Prime Minister Tony Blair has described a Conlon Construction new-build partnered project as "one of the most magnificent things I have seen."
Visiting the Platt Bridge Community First Complex in Wigan last week, Prime Minister Blair added,
"This is a facility that is world class . This is a symbol of how with the right creativity and imagination and vision you can effect change."
Conlon Construction, based in Bamber Bridge near Preston in Lancashire, built the new Platt Bridge Community School as part of the new £13 million redevelopment scheme.
The development was built over 56 weeks on an existing mineworks using piled foundations and a steel frame structure. The external envelope of the building was made up of an innovative mix of materials including Sarmafil roofing, Eternit cladding, a Kalwall glazing system.
NPS North West Ltd. designed the school in partnership with Conlon Construction in a contemporary style incorporating many sustainable features such as rainwater harvesting, rooftop solar panels, low carbon emissions and high efficiency heating.
Platt Bridge Community First is one of the UK's first full-service extended school complexes built to provide a wide range of public services on one site. In addition to the new school, the development also houses a new health centre; children and family support centre; GP's surgery; a pharmacy; a physiotherapy unit and hydrotherapy pool.
Conlon Construction operations manager Guy Parker said,
"It has been a privilege for Conlon Construction to be part of such a high profile development. It gives us a wonderful sense of pride that the building has received such high praise.
"We would like to thank all stakeholders for a great team effort in constructing this partnered project and we look forward to thousands of Platt Bridge residents enjoying the facility for many years to come."
The centre was built after the closure of two schools in the area.
Frank Costello, deputy chief executive of Wigan Council, who has led the project from its start, said,
"We see this wonderful development as a blueprint for the way local services will be provided in the future.
"What could have simply been a school closure has become a catalyst for change and the means by which local services could come together to transform life chances.
"It shows what can be achieved where vision and leadership come together, blending the best of public, private, voluntary and community sectors. There was a willingness to modernise and test new ways of working for the benefit of the people we collectively serve."
Platt Bridge Community First School Head Teacher, Sue Derbyshire added,
"The building is fantastic and everything we wished for and more! The standard of the fixtures and fittings supplied by Conlon Construction Ltd is excellent. The high standard of everything in the building is always commented upon by our many visitors. We are a flagship school and the building itself reinforces this."
Other recent prestigious Conlon Construction projects include: Guardian Angels Office building for Blackburn with Darwen Council; a new £5 million distribution centre for TNT UK Ltd; and, the redevelopment at the Grade II Listed Grand Theatre in Clitheroe incorporating a new 350 seat auditorium and associated facilities.

Email: richard@thebuzzfactory.co.uk