BAM Construction is to build an £11m university technical college (UTC) for Newton Abbot in Devon.

The contractor, which has offices in Exeter, will create South Devon UTC on a split level former garage site. BAM is to demolish existing buildings as well as remediating the Kingsteignton Road site, which retains asbestos and hydro carbon contamination. The company will then build a four-storey facility to be used by 600 pupils and 75 staff.

The UTC will specialise in water, engineering and the environment, with open-plan learning spaces and technical workshops. A full-height atrium is to be used as an entrance hall, while the outside will feature space for a multi-use games area as well as dining terraces.

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A retaining wall divides the site in two, with one section 4m higher than the other. A basement will be located on the lower land, and be used to house building services plant.

BAM Construction Western, a national skills academy for construction, will be using the project to give opportunities to young people, working alongside UTC sponsor South Devon college.

BAM will also provide sustainability features as learning tools, including water butts and water-saving toilets with see-through panels at the back.

Work on South Devon UTC is due to begin in June 2014 and be completed for use in January 2016.

BAM construction director Graham Kingdon said: "We are delighted to have been be appointed preferred bidder for this important facility for Devon, and have enjoyed working with the UTC team to develop the scheme over the previous months. We look forward to starting the work on site to create a modern, user-friendly facility for students and staff.

"As always, BAM is intent on making this scheme work for the local economy and community as well as for the end users."

(IT)