Milton Keynes Council has selected Willmott Dixon for a £8.8 million contract to create a new primary school and nursery that will accommodate over 600 pupils as part of a wider plan for the Western Expansion Area.

Located on Calverton Lane, Watling Primary School and Nursery will provide local education provision for the housing developments of Fairfields and Whitehouse. Procured through Pagabo’s Major Works Framework, Willmott Dixon is working with project architect Synergy Architects to create the 630-place primary school and 39-place nursery with a multi-purpose hall that can divide into two separate spaces, as well as outdoor sporting grounds.

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The 351ha Western Expansion Area is the largest expansion area in Milton Keynes and is comprised of two developments to create 6,550 dwellings. The area will have an estimated population of 15,000 when completed in early 2030 and the new school and nursery will play a key role in ensuring local amenities are available for the growing population while alleviating subscription levels at nearby schools.

Michelle Cotterill, Director at Willmott Dixon, said: "This continues our longstanding relationship with Milton Keynes Council following St Mary's Wavendon Church of England Primary School and Whitehouse Medical Centre. To support local social mobility, we plan to host work placements and employment taster days, provide CV advice and mock interviews, as well as present careers talks by liaising with existing schools. We will also be running an eight-week traineeship aimed at 16–18-year-olds not in education, employment or training."

With sustainability a focus, Watling Primary School and Nursery will have three electric vehicle charging points, with infrastructure to serve a further 20, as well as featuring roof mounted PVs to facilitate solar power along with ground source heat pumps.