CONSTRUCTION is under way on a huge new £10million school and nursery in Basildon which is set to boast a series of measures to boost energy efficiency.

Barnes Construction has been awarded the contract to build the 476-place nursery and school by Essex County Council.

It will be known as Chapel Hill Primary and Nursery school, in Dry Street, Basildon.

The school will provide places for 420 primary school and 56 early years children and will be run by Lee Chapel Multi Academy Trust.

Last week, councillors, project team members, and Lee Chapel Trust representatives visited the site and took part in a ceremony marking this phase in the project.

Tony Ball, Tory Essex County Council cabinet member, said: “Basildon is a growing town, and we know new infrastructure is needed to meet the needs of its growing community.

“This significant investment in state-of-the-art school facilities for the Westley Green development shows our commitment to ensuring every child in Essex has access to a high-quality education.

“Its buildings will be constructed to advanced Net Zero in operation standards, helping reduce their environmental impact whilst also playing a part in reducing the school’s energy bills.

“It is excellent to see work get underway on site in advance of the proposed opening date of autumn next year.”

Barnes is working with its appointed designer, Concertus, to deliver the new school as a combined two-storey building, with a main hall that divides the nursery and primary provision, 16 class bases and a library.

Outside there will be a new multi-use games area and two grass football pitches.

The building includes air source heat pumps, variable temperature heating systems, energy efficient LED lighting and natural ventilation units with heat recovery, along with PV panels on the roof.

Sue Jackson, chief executive of Lee Chapel Multi-Academy Trust, said: “Chapel Hill Primary is a perfect fit for our ambitions and capacity to grow the number of ‘Outstanding’ Basildon Primary schools under the already successful Lee Chapel umbrella. As a Basildon girl, it was a real honour and privilege for me to be on-site carrying out the ground-breaking duties on behalf of the trust.”

Pick Everard has been appointed as Essex County Council’s project manager for the school, which is due to be completed in time for the 2024 academic year.