A CONSTRUCTION company has won a prestigious industry award for its considerate work while revamping Lea Manor High School.
Wates Construction won a gold award from the Considerate Construction Scheme which recognises the highest levels of care and consideration shown by construction sites to their local neighbourhood and the general public.
Only 88 sites from more than 8,500 in the UK this year achieved the gold standard.
The awards panel noted that the site was involved with many community initiatives including weekly help at the NOAH Enterprise, where the charity’s soup kitchen was manned on a regular basis, and a community day devoted to redecoration.
There were visits by the Prince’s Trust, support for the Keech Cottage Hospice and participation in the Marsh Farm Festival.
Student interest was sparked through a poster competition and in setting up safety stations throughout the school as part of Wates’ ‘Near Miss’ safety reporting campaign.
The site also trialled Ecosheet, an environmentally friendly hoarding system which uses 100 per cent recycled materials.
Presenting the award, Richard Brindley, executive director of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said: “The RIBA’s purpose is to champion better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and the CCS objectives are synergic with those aims.
“I am pleased to offer my congratulations on behalf of the architects’ profession to all of this year’s winners and to thank them for the great standards they are achieving for our construction industry.”.