Law firm Gordons advises Bradford’s Dixons Allerton Academy on vital aspects of new home
Tuesday 6th March 2012
Yorkshire law firm Gordons has advised Dixons Allerton Academy in Bradford on key aspects of the new £32m building which will house the academy from September 2013.
The 14,600 sq ft construction will cater for 1,886 children, from nursery through to secondary age. It will provide places for nursery, pre-school, and secondary students.
Dixons Allerton Academy, opened in 2009 and specialising in health and sciences, currently occupies the old Rhodesway School in Oaks Lane. This will remain open during construction of the adjacent new building, before being demolished and replaced by sports facilities, available for use by the local community.
Nick Chamberlain, partner in Gordons’ commercial property team, advised the academy on a development agreement with Bradford Council and the draft lease. Gordons construction team, advised on the design and build contracts and warranties.
Jo Williams, chair of governors at Dixons Allerton Academy, said: “I was very impressed with Gordons’ service. They moved very quickly for us, turning the whole job round within a month and came up trumps in terms of quality too. Their persistence and patience were thoroughly admirable and it was great having them on our team.”
Funding arrangements for the new building have now been confirmed by Partnerships for Schools on behalf of the Department for Education. Bradford Council is contributing £5m to finance the primary school part of the building, which has been designed by Manchester-based architects BDP and will be built by Wates Construction, whose headquarters are in Surrey. Wates will be using local sub contractors wherever possible, providing employment opportunities in the area.
Nick Chamberlain said: “This was the first time Jayne or I had worked with Dixons Allerton Academy, so we were delighted when they asked us to help on this important project, despite our part having to be completed within a challengingly short period. To have finalised our work so rapidly, and achieved all the results the client wanted, is testament to the hard work and knowledge of all the Gordons people involved. We’ll now watch the progress of the construction project with great interest.”