New Secondary School, Nelson

Client: Catalyst Lend Lease
Contractor: Bovis Lend Lease
Architect Consultant: Bradshaw Gass & Hope
Structural Engineers: Capita Symonds Structures
Quantity Surveyors: Capita CDM
Coordinators: Bovis Lend Lease
Value: £15 million

Bradshaw Gass and Hope was selected as one of the Architectural Designers for the Bovis Lend Lease Team in the BSF Wave 1 programme for Lancashire County Council. BG & H have responsibility for designing 2 of the 9 new schools in the programme; Marsden Heights Community College being a new building for 1050 pupils in an 11-16 secondary school in Nelson, Lancashire and the other being a BESD 40-place special school in Burnley, Lancashire

The Marsden Heights scheme involves articulating the philosophy of BSF (Building Schools for the Future) with overall acknowledgement of the expectations of BB98 and stringent requirements for BREEAM Very Good Accreditation. The planning of the building was developed through careful consideration for proximity of faculties, natural ventilation, central control and aspirations for transformational education on a site with topographical and planning constraints. The building is arranged over 4 levels in a compact footprint to allow a maximisation of external curriculum spaces and quality of setting in a location surrounded by residential development but with stunning views over Pendle Hill. Construction design utilises pre-fabricated elements and re-locatable partitioning in order to reduce the site programme and incorporate flexibility and adaptability in-use. The project started on site in May 2008 and is to be completed ready for September 2009 occupation.