Morgan Sindall has been selected by Suffolk County Council for an £18.5 million scheme to design and build East Anglia's first purpose-built sixth form college in Lowestoft.

Morgan Sindall will construct the new Lowestoft Sixth Form College at the Lowestoft College campus in St Peter's Street. The facility will accommodate around 950 pupils and will replace the existing sixth forms at three high schools in the town.

The award follows Morgan Sindall being chosen by Suffolk County Council as preferred bidder for the scheme last November.

With a floor area of 8,027m², the four-storey building will house a large performing arts space, specialist teaching facilities equipped with the latest information technology systems, and learning pods suspended from a central atrium. Morgan Sindall will also create new car parking facilities and carry out additional landscaping works.

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The new sixth form building will achieve a BREEAM rating of 'Excellent' and will incorporate a number of sustainable features including high levels of insulation, rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic technology which converts sunlight to energy. In addition, Morgan Sindall will create a series of concrete ducts beneath the building to supplement its heating supply with natural thermal energy from the earth’s core.

"The new Lowestoft Sixth Form College is an exciting development for the whole town and we are delighted to have been chosen by Suffolk County Council to build it," said Gavin Napper, Morgan Sindall Area Director. "Since being chosen as preferred bidder for the project last year we've enjoyed working closely with the Council to ensure that the new building will meet the needs and requirements of students.

"We have considerable experience of undertaking projects in the education sector and will be drawing on all of our knowledge and expertise to successfully deliver these top-class learning facilities."

The project is due to be completed in August 2011.

(CD/GK)