Tilbury Douglas completes Longton Lane Primary School with £4.8m social value impact
Tilbury Douglas, a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit-out business, has successfully completed the construction of Longton Lane Primary School in Rainhill on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) and St Helens Borough Council. Delivered on time to programme, the project achieved a remarkable social value return on investment of £4.8 million.
The project, funded through the DfE’s ‘School Rebuilding Programme’ with financial contributions from St Helens Borough Council, involved the construction of a modern two-storey school building. The new facility comprises 13 classrooms, staff accommodation, a main hall, and a kitchen, complemented by comprehensive landscaping. Green initiatives such as photovoltaic roof panels, additional car and cycle parking spaces, and electric charging points align with the council’s target of achieving net zero carbon by 2024.
Key social value activities included volunteering efforts with Willowbrook Hospice and collaborative campaigns with Andy’s Man Club and Macmillan Cancer Support. Additionally, the project achieved an SME spend of 85%, employed 90% local people, and delivered 198 apprentice weeks. The team’s commitment to excellence was further recognised with a top Considerate Constructors Score of 45/45.
St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Nova Charton, said: “Given that a good number of years of a child’s life is spent in school, it is vital that they have the perfect learning environment to help them thrive on their journey through education – which the new Longton Lane Primary School will help achieve.
“Being in a modern, vibrant school which has been built for the future can make a world of difference to pupils and staff and we will continue to prioritise investment in educational settings of greatest need as we look to achieve our key priority of ensuring children and young people have a positive start in life.”
Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth & Regeneration, added: “From the very first dig to the end result, the development of Longton Lane Primary School has proven to be an all-round success given the high percentage of local workforce, including apprenticeship opportunities; an impressive social value return for the benefit of some wonderful local charities; and of course this brand new school which will support pupils to thrive in a first-class learning environment.”
The project team, which included Ellis Williams Architects, Alan Johnston Partnership, and Tace, worked closely with Tilbury Douglas to ensure the project’s successful delivery, combining technical expertise with a shared commitment to sustainability and community engagement.
The completion of Longton Lane Primary School represents a significant milestone for the Rainhill community, providing a high-quality, sustainable learning environment for future generations while demonstrating Tilbury Douglas’ dedication to delivering value through construction excellence.