Robertson Capital Projects has reached financial close with Dundee City Council on a £100 million schools PPP project.

The deal has been closed as part of the Discovery Education consortium that includes Sir Robert McAlpine, Robertson Construction Tayside, Robertson Construction Central, Robertson Capital Projects and Robertson Facilities Management.

The joint-venture partnership will see the delivery of six new primary schools and two new secondary schools in Dundee.

Phase one of the project is expected to be completed by January 2008 and phase two by January the following year.

Funding for the project will be secured by a bond placed by Robertson Capital Projects and Sir Robert McAlpine PFI. Dundee City Council will also have a small equity stake in the scheme.

Robertson Construction will deliver the majority of the design and build contract, with Sir Robert McAlpine constructing one secondary school.

Robertson FM will provide a range of services throughout the 30-year project duration in partnership with Tayside Contracts - a public sector company owned by Dundee, Perth and Angus councils.

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Each of the Robertson companies are part of the Robertson Group.

Robertson Group has already established a strong position in the Scottish Schools PPP marketplace, delivering phases one and two of the £72 million Aberdeenshire Schools PPP projects and reaching financial close on the £50 million Angus Schools project.

However the Stirling-based company has seen a step-change in the size of its contracts since undertaking partnership ventures with large national organisations.

As well as Dundee Schools, Robertson Capital Projects and Robertson Facilities Management – as part of the Aura consortium that includes Sir Robert McAlpine and Parsons Brinkerhoff – have been appointed preferred bidder in the £200 million Newcastle Building Schools for the Future project.

Robertson Group executive chairman, Bill Robertson, welcomed the conclusion of final contract negotiations with Dundee City Council.

He said: “We have assembled a highly experienced and fully integrated supply chain combining project management, investment, construction and facilities management services who have worked in partnership with Dundee City Council and our joint-venture partner Sir Robert McAlpine towards financial close.

“And we expect to continue this positive relationship during the construction delivery stage and thereafter into school facilities management operations over the 30-year life of the contract.”

Phase one construction work is due to commence immediately following advanced preparation work.

The executive chairman added: “Our schools design philosophy will create facilities that promote the principles of environmental sensitivity and contribute positively to the development of pupil awareness.

“This will deliver a physical environment which reflects the commitment of Dundee City Council to lifelong learning, and which will be complementary to the efforts of the schools’ teaching staff.”

(CD/SP)