New town's primary school could cost up to £20m

A primary school for 630 pupils in a new town could cost up to £20m to build, according to a council report.

Deneia Primary Academy is set to be built to meet housing demand in Waterbeach New Town in Cambridgeshire, where about 6,000 homes have been approved.

Work on the school was paused in March 2024, as engineering and construction costs "exceeded the project budget significantly".

Next week, Cambridgeshire County Council's children and young people committee will be asked to approve a new contract for construction, with work due to start in April and be completed in July 2027.

After the pause in 2024, the project was re-tendered and Keir Construction was appointed to redesign and build the school.

It will also have 78 pre-school places and be run by Anglian Learning.

Councillors have also been asked to approve a "bio solar green roof system" and the installation of sprinklers.

The report said the latest catchment area forecast indicated additional local reception places would be needed from September 2028, and "therefore, the building will be completed before the school is required to open".

"This allows for flexibility in use, enabling the building to contribute positively to community cohesion by facilitating a range of interim uses, including lettings, trust office use, and potential community partnerships," the report added.

"This will also ensure that the early years' facilities on site can be utilised, for which there is expected to be demand due to the expansion of government funded entitlements, whereby working families with children aged nine months and above can now access up to 30 hours of funded childcare."

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