黑洞社区

Laing O鈥橰ourke has finally reached financial close on its 拢120m batch of PF2 schools, almost a year after it initially expected to close the deal.

The contractor expected to reach financial close last summer on seven schools in Yorkshire, and put the delay down to a late application to award listed building status to one of the existing school buildings that was due to be demolished.

Laing O鈥橰ourke was confirmed as preferred bidder in October 2014 to design, build, maintain and finance seven secondary schools in Bradford, Huddersfield, Harrogate and Keighley.

At the time, the firm said three schools would be completed this autumn and four by autumn 2017.

Laing O鈥橰ourke said the first three schools will move into their new buildings in early 2017, with a further three schools following in September 2017 and the largest school opening in spring 2018.

Market sources told 黑洞社区 in February the project was in part delayed due to Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 determination to use its precast concrete construction facility in the Midlands to build the schools largely off-site.

At the time, sources said the contractor鈥檚 use of off-site manufacturing had caused 鈥減roblems over affordability鈥�.

When contacted by 黑洞社区 in February, Education Funding Agency (EFA) director of capital, Mike Green, admitted the EFA had 鈥渄ebates with Laing O鈥橰ourke about cost as we do with all contractors鈥�, but denied this caused a delay.

While Laing O鈥橰ourke has insisted its Design for Manufacture and Assembly approach has 鈥渓argely mitigated鈥� delays to the schools, adding that it 鈥渉as enabled works to progress as planned through the second wettest winter on record.鈥�

The schools will be financed under the PF2 model by the Yorkshire Learning Partnership, a special purpose vehicle formed by Laing O鈥橰ourke, Equitix and IUK Investments Limited.

It has been appointed to deliver the project, and has contracted Laing O鈥橰ourke Construction to design and build the schools and provide facilities management services.