THE contractor responsible for the work creating the new Habberley Learning Campus has won a prestigious Gold Award at the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s 2015 National Site Awards.

The new campus, in Habberley Road, Kidderminster, brings together two schools that specialise in learning difficulties and disabilities.

The annual awards, run by the scheme, recognise the highest levels of consideration and care shown by construction sites throughout the UK towards their local neighbourhood, the general public, their workforce and the environment. Only 98 UK sites achieved the gold standard this year from more than 9,000, making this site’s achievement particularly significant.

Scheme judges for the site noted that a busy ongoing programme of talks and site visits was in place at the site to ensure that all the schools and trainers destined to use the new campus felt fully involved and informed of progress. Newsletters, hoarding updates, and regular personal contact supported this, and ensured the full inclusion of the wider community. Seventy-seven per cent of the total workforce was employed from the locality, and the site team took part in local careers fairs and other events.

An equal commitment to safety observation and operative welfare was also observed with a number of initiatives actively pursued and evaluated. The presentation of the site remained at an extremely high standard despite adverse weather conditions, evidencing a real commitment to improving the image of construction.

The award was presented at a glittering ceremony held at The Lowry, Manchester, by Paul Everall, chief executive of Local Authority Building Control, to representatives of winning contractors Speller Metcalfe Malvern Ltd.

Chairman of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, Mike Petter, said: "It is our privilege to reward the efforts of all those involved in projects which set the bar in terms of considerate construction. We never fail to be impressed each year by the high levels of innovation and excellence evidenced throughout the industry.

"Each award-winning project serves as a shining example to the industry as to what can be achieved across a range of different sized projects and in all sectors of the industry. My congratulations to all sites that have received an award in 2015."