Monday, November 13, 2006
John Laing has been appointed preferred developer for the Hastings and Rother new college development project.
Through its division, John Laing Projects & Developments, the company will provide two new state-of-the-art college buildings at Station Plaza (Hastings) and Ore Valley. At the Station Plaza site John Laing will create a 21st Century centre of vocational and academic learning, combined with 103 residential apartments and extensive underground parking. The site also offers a potential development opportunity with the Strategic Health Authority to create a new primary care centre. At Ore Valley a technology centre, incorporating engineering and construction workshops, will offer students and businesses access to a range of best in class facilities. In addition, John Laing is purchasing the college’s three existing sites which it will develop as residential developments, and is providing bridging funding to help fund the construction of the new facilities.John Laing has entered into a joint-venture with housebuilder Gladedale to develop the residential apartments. Construction of the college buildings will be carried out by Laing O’Rourke.
Commenting on the project, Sue Middlehurst, the Principal of the college said: “These are incredibly exciting times for everyone and I’m delighted to be working with John Laing to deliver such major improvements. The changes in education in Hastings and Rother will provide state-of-the-art facilities within a dynamic new college. I look forward to September 2009 when we will welcome students to the new college for the first time.”
Jamie Kerr, Managing Director of John Laing Projects & Developments said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded this contract, which builds on our track-record in the further education sector. This draws together the varied experience of our team combining property development, project management and partnering with the public sector to deliver complex projects on time and to budget."
Financial close is anticipated for June 2007 and both college facilities are due to open for the September term in 2009.
ENDS
Photography available on request.
For further information please contact:
Anne Sampson at Madano
Tel: 020 7593 4000 or Email: anne.sampson@madano.co.uk
or
Christine Jones at John Laing
Tel: 020 7901 3200 or Email: christine.jones@laing.com
or
Chris Gape at Hastings College of Arts and Technology
Tel: 01323 416999 or Email: chris@cobbpr.com
About John Laing
John Laing plc is the leading project developer and investor in public private partnerships in the UK and around the world. It is the only UK listed company whose core business is focused entirely upon the development of PFI/PPP projects and operations. The Group current invests in a total of 50 projects in sectors including education, health, roads and rail.
John Laing Projects & Developments focuses on property development involving the public sector and rail infrastructure. By utilising the team’s specialist skills in property development for further education colleges and rail related commercial mixed-use schemes, they are able to help the funding model for these projects.