Willmott Dixon has secured a multi-million-pound contract to construct a new 28-bed secure children's home in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, aimed at providing enhanced facilities for young people.

The project, procured through Pagabo's Major Works Framework, saw Willmott Dixon chosen by Lincolnshire County Council last year to develop design proposals for the facility, situated on Bonemill Lane at the edge of Sleaford. Funded by the Department for Education, the home will cater to some of Lincolnshire's most vulnerable children and serve as a national resource for secure accommodation.

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It replaces an existing smaller site that is coming to the end of its useful life and will help meet rising demand from a national increase in the number of children requiring both criminal justice and welfare placements. It will deliver a truly ground-breaking service, becoming a flagship project for the sector.

The home is designed to reach net-zero in operation, providing an innovative partial grid solution, which will be supported by extensive solar panels and state-of-the-art power storage.

The home has been designed by Kier and is due to be completed in late 2026.

Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon, said: "This is a hugely significant scheme, not only for Lincolnshire to address an acute need for secure accommodation, but also for the wider country as it will bring together best practice from across the UK and Europe.

"It will help young people get their lives 'back on track' using a whole host of facilities including on-site education, wellbeing, vocational and sports facilities, as well as delivering against important sustainability credentials to make the building’s legacy especially evident."