G F Tomlinson has completed construction on The Gateway, a state-of-the-art facility at Nottingham College’s Basford campus, designed to support students with learning difficulties and disabilities (SLDD).

Set to welcome students in February 2025, the two-storey, 1,350m² building features 13 classrooms, a teaching kitchen, a dining area, and ancillary spaces, complemented by landscaped external grounds. The Gateway represents a significant addition to the college's portfolio, providing bespoke facilities to foster inclusive education.

This is the second major project G F Tomlinson has delivered for Nottingham College this year. In November, the contractor completed the Construction Skills Centre (CSC), a specialist facility aimed at addressing the growing demand for skilled trades training in the local area. Both buildings were procured via the Pagabo Medium Works Framework and adhere to the Department for Education's (DfE) output specifications, aligning with Nottingham College’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

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The Gateway project generated £2.1 million in social value for the Nottingham community. G F Tomlinson partnered with local SMEs, engaged with 791 local students, facilitated 187.5 hours of work experience, and supported 48 apprentice weeks totalling 1,804 apprentice hours.

Community support extended beyond education, with donations of £300 worth of essential items to the Remar Nottingham Community Kitchen Foodbank, providing much-needed relief to local families.

Sustainability was a core focus of the project, with the building featuring 106 photovoltaic (PV) panels, four air source heat pumps, and high-spec insulation to reduce energy consumption. Water-efficient plumbing systems were also installed to minimise waste.

During construction, G F Tomlinson achieved a 100% recycling rate for site waste and rescued 1.5 tonnes of materials from the waste stream. Local labor accounted for 79% of the workforce, with 76% of project spending staying within 20 miles of the site. Low-emission vehicles were used for 774 miles of project-related travel, aligning with the UK government's Net Zero agenda.