Local MP Robert Jenrick has paid a visit to the town’s newest neighbourhood, Middlebeck, to mark the beginning of construction of its new primary school.
The Newark MP joined representatives from the growing community’s master developer Urban&Civic and Newark and Sherwood District Council on Friday 4 September, to celebrate the occasion as well as explore the latest progress on site.
Being delivered by leading construction firm Lindum Group, the school build, which is now underway, will be located in the heart of the development and will welcome its first intake of pupils in September 2021. It will also provide a new home for the current Christ Church Infant School in Newark, who will relocate to the school and grow into the full primary school, offering 525 school places once the facility is complete.
As well as visiting the school’s construction site, Robert Jenrick was also taken on a tour of Middlebeck to explore the progress made by Urban&Civic since work began in 2017, which is now home to over 150 families, a café and extensive outdoor areas. He saw the momentum regained on housing building since lockdown with Bellway Homes, Countryside Homes, Avant Homes and Ashberry Homes currently delivering some 550 homes in Middlebeck’s first phase.
During his visit, Robert also stopped off at the neighbourhood’s popular independent eatery, Gannets Middlebeck, where he chatted to local businessman Neil Stevens on their reopening following lockdown, in July.
Speaking after his visit Robert Jenrick MP said; “We’re building the homes our country needs and ensuring new communities have the infrastructure they need to thrive. Today I saw this work underway at Urban&Civic’s Middlebeck development and work beginning on a fantastic new school.”
Richard Coppell, Group Development Director for Urban&Civic said; “We were delighted to welcome Robert to the site on Friday, for what was a significant moment in our masterplan for Middlebeck.
“The new school will offer local children a first-class facility right on their doorstep, and will become part of the community’s growing hub meaning residents can access a host of amenities all within a short stroll.
“We were also keen to demonstrate just how much Middlebeck has grown as a community, particularly during the past few unprecedented months. Our contractors and housebuilders have continued to forge ahead on site throughout the lockdown to keep momentum going.
“What’s more, we were proud to show Robert that as a new community Middlebeck has shown real resolve, positivity and community spirit throughout this trying time, a reflection of everything that Middlebeck stands for,” he added.
Lindum Chairman David Chambers said: “We are very happy to once again be working with Master Developer Urban and Civic. Lindum has already delivered the new U&C offices and Gannets café on site at Middlebeck, and this project will build on our solid relationship.
“The Middlebeck scheme will see the creation of a vibrant, new settlement that is less than 20 miles from our offices. It is great to be building the school, which will be such an important part of that community.”
Once complete Middlebeck will be a new community of 3150 homes, including a host of community infrastructure including shops and businesses, green infrastructure including a waterside promenade, walkways and cycleways, formal open space and sports pitches and the new primary school.
Formerly known as Land South of Newark, Middlebeck is a 694-acre urban extension on the southern edge of the town.