Eco-friendly Cwmbran school construction phase completed
Morgan Sindall Construction finished the first part of its new build for Maendy Primary School in Cwmbran on May 27.
The new development will replace the old school building, which will be demolished next year.
The two-storey structure, which will accommodate 420 pupils over 16 classrooms, will be net zero carbon in operation.
The May completion date saw the construction team deliver the main school building, rear playground, multi-use games area, and individual play zones, all of which have now been handed over to the council.
The project was started in March 2024 and will be completed in January 2026.
The final part of the construction project will see the demolition of the old school building and the creation of a new access road, a car park with electric vehicle charging points, sports fields, and a dedicated Forest School area.
The building was designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent certification and has 700 square metres of solar PV panels on its southern roof pitch, contributing to its net zero carbon in operation status.
The project has taken on Morgan Sindall Construction's '10 Tonne Carbon Challenge' and has already achieved a saving of 10.3 tonnes of CO₂e.
Notable initiatives include using reusable Kentledge blocks instead of traditional concrete foundations for site hoarding – a solution that allows for movement between phases without requiring new foundations.
The project has also involved the local community, with Morgan Sindall engaging pupils through educational activities, such as assemblies, construction site safety sessions, and Carbon Literacy and sustainable design workshops for Years 5 and 6.
The company is further supporting the school through its sponsorship of the Healthy Dragons initiative, delivered in partnership with the Dragons RFC Community Team.
The programme promotes wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, and confidence-building among pupils.
The team has also donated materials for the creation of hedgehog houses, now in place within the school's Forest School area, enhancing opportunities for environmental learning and wildlife conservation.
An internal drop-off area is also being developed to alleviate existing roadside congestion during peak times.
Robert Williams, area director for Morgan Sindall in Wales, said: "We're making excellent progress on the new Maendy Primary School, which will provide a high-quality, sustainable learning environment for children in Cwmbran.
"The successful handover of Phase 1, the main school building, marks a significant milestone in our journey to deliver net zero carbon buildings that promote both educational achievement and environmental responsibility.
"Our engagement with pupils throughout the build has been particularly rewarding.
"Initiatives like the Carbon Literacy workshops not only enrich the curriculum but help inspire the next generation to consider careers in construction and understand the importance of sustainable practices."
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South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Eco-friendly Cwmbran school construction phase completed
Morgan Sindall Construction finished the first part of its new build for Maendy Primary School in Cwmbran on May 27. The new development will replace the old school building, which will be demolished next year. The two-storey structure, which will accommodate 420 pupils over 16 classrooms, will be net zero carbon in operation. The May completion date saw the construction team deliver the main school building, rear playground, multi-use games area, and individual play zones, all of which have now been handed over to the council. The project was started in March 2024 and will be completed in January 2026. The final part of the construction project will see the demolition of the old school building and the creation of a new access road, a car park with electric vehicle charging points, sports fields, and a dedicated Forest School area. The building was designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent certification and has 700 square metres of solar PV panels on its southern roof pitch, contributing to its net zero carbon in operation status. The project has taken on Morgan Sindall Construction's '10 Tonne Carbon Challenge' and has already achieved a saving of 10.3 tonnes of CO₂e. Notable initiatives include using reusable Kentledge blocks instead of traditional concrete foundations for site hoarding – a solution that allows for movement between phases without requiring new foundations. The project has also involved the local community, with Morgan Sindall engaging pupils through educational activities, such as assemblies, construction site safety sessions, and Carbon Literacy and sustainable design workshops for Years 5 and 6. The company is further supporting the school through its sponsorship of the Healthy Dragons initiative, delivered in partnership with the Dragons RFC Community Team. The programme promotes wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, and confidence-building among pupils. The team has also donated materials for the creation of hedgehog houses, now in place within the school's Forest School area, enhancing opportunities for environmental learning and wildlife conservation. An internal drop-off area is also being developed to alleviate existing roadside congestion during peak times. Robert Williams, area director for Morgan Sindall in Wales, said: "We're making excellent progress on the new Maendy Primary School, which will provide a high-quality, sustainable learning environment for children in Cwmbran. "The successful handover of Phase 1, the main school building, marks a significant milestone in our journey to deliver net zero carbon buildings that promote both educational achievement and environmental responsibility. "Our engagement with pupils throughout the build has been particularly rewarding. "Initiatives like the Carbon Literacy workshops not only enrich the curriculum but help inspire the next generation to consider careers in construction and understand the importance of sustainable practices."
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