Devon County Council

devon.gov.uk

From David Hutchings, Exeter 382594, November 28, 2008

DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL has won a top national award for the design of the new Bideford College.

The new college has been named as the most sustainable school design in the national Excellence in Building Schools for the Future Awards.

Tim Byles, who chaired the judging panel, said: "I congratulate all those associated with the Bideford College project on winning the BSF star awards for their efforts to ensure that the school is not only a safe and inspiring, but also a green, place to learn.

"However the truth is that the real winners are the students, teachers

and communities who will benefit and that is certainly something worth celebrating."

Devon County Council developed the £54 million project in conjunction with NPS South West property consultants.

The Centre for Energy and Environment at the University of Exeter worked on the plans to identify the best position for the buildings to make use of natural light and heat and on their overall sustainability.

Environmentally friendly technology is being used throughout and the college will become a teaching and learning tool and a focus for the whole of the community.

The college will have a woodchip biomass boiler as the main heat source and a living roof on which wildflowers and sedums are seeded to create additional new habitats and encourage insects and garden birds.

A sustainable drainage system will allow the building to capture and recycle a large percentage of rainwater into high use areas such as toilets.

All the new teaching spaces will be naturally lit and well ventilated in north-facing buildings.

Devon County Council deputy leader and executive councillor for children's services, John Smith, said: "I am delighted with this award and I want to congratulate the county council team who worked on it, the staff and students at Bideford College for their close involvement and NPS South West.

"Bideford College is not just a new school. It is a flagship project for Devon which is winning us a national reputation.

"Our aim is to ensure Devon is the Greenest county in the land and successful projects like this only serve to demonstrate our determination to make this aspiration a reality.

"But in these credit-crunch times, the construction of this major new development is also pumping money into the local economy with a high proportion of the workers involved coming from Bideford and Torridge and North Devon.

"For the county as a whole it is also good news. We have just submitted a bid to the Government for cash to build four new secondary schools in Chulmleigh, Dartmouth, Ilfracombe and Tiverton and a new special school at Marland in Torrington.

"The Government wants all new secondary schools to be carbon neutral by 2016.

"Our success with Bideford and the participation of our head of school buildings, Vic Ebdon, as the only local authority representative on the Government's national Zero Carbon Task Force can only serve to strengthen our case that we are capable of delivering high quality, environmentally-friendly buildings.

College Principal, Veronica Matthews, has said: "These are very exciting times for the college and Bideford as a whole.

" What is planned for Bideford puts us at the forefront nationally, not only of education, but of sustainable building design.

"The town needs a key focus - both for its social and economic regeneration and to raise the aspirations of its young people.

"This will be a building in which the college is truly able to fulfil its vision."

NOTE TO NEWS EDS: John Smith is available for interview on 01626 772223.

ends

• Leader of the Council - Cllr Brian Greenslade
• Chief Executive -- Phil Norrey

• Budget £800 million
• Key investments include:
• Schools £349 million
• Adult and Community Services £164 million
• Environment, Economy and Culture £106 million
• Children and Young People £101 million

• Other important County Council support includes:
• Building programme: £185 million for new schools, roads, care services, libraries and recycling centres

• Political make-up:
• County Council seats: 62
• 33 Liberal Democrat
• 23 Conservative
• 4 Labour
• 2 Independent
• Next County Council elections: May 7, 2009

• Key stats:
• Population: 741,000
• Schools: 365
• Pupils: 96,200
• Children looked after: 584
• Adults helped to live at home: 17,622
• Residential and nursing care: 4,212 adults
• Libraries and Mobile Libraries: 61
• Roads: 12,831 kms (7,973 miles)
• Bridges: 3,500
• Public Rights of Way: 4,960 kms (3,200 miles)
• Streetlights: 71,000
• Illuminated road signs: 10,917
• Recycling Centres: 20
• Recycling rate: 49.21%

Figures may be subject to change

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