Lindum is building a new primary school as part of a major urban extension on the edge of Newark.

Master developer Urban&Civic awarded Lindum the construction contract as it brings forward the new neighbourhood called Middlebeck.

The school 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, which will relocate to the school and grow into the full primary school, offering 525 school places once the facility is complete.

Lindum Chairman David Chambers said: “We are very happy to once again be working with Master Developer Urban&Civic.

“Lindum has already delivered the new U&C offices and Gannets café on site at Middlebeck, as well as offices and changing facilities at Corby, Northamptonshire. 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.

“We are pleased to hear the housing site is doing so well and making a real difference to the lives of people in the area and long may it continue.”

Earlier this month, MP Robert Jenrick paid a visit to site to mark the beginning of construction work.

The Newark MP joined representatives from Urban&Civic, Newark and Sherwood District Council and Lindum on Friday, 4^th September, to celebrate the occasion as well as explore the latest progress on site.

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.

During his visit, Robert also stopped off at the neighbourhood’s eatery, Gannets Middlebeck, where he chatted to local businessman Neil Stevens on their reopening following lockdown, in July.

Speaking on his visit, Robert Jenrick said: We’re building the homes our country needs and ensuring new communities have the infrastructure they need to thrive.

“Today I saw work underway at Urban&Civic’s Middlebeck development and watched construction begin on a fantastic new school.”

Richard Coppell, Group Development Director for Urban&Civic said; “We were delighted to welcome Robert to the site, 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.

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.