3DReid has successfully secured  planning permission and listed building consents for the £60 million Western Isles Schools Project (WISP) in Scotland. The client is Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council). The private sector development partner is Faithful+Gould. 

The project will see the development of 5 schools over 5 sites:

The Nicolson Institute, Stornoway, Lewis – new High School for 1,100 pupils, including the refurbishment and remodelling of existing listed buildings

Sir E Scott School, Tarbert, Harris – refurbishment, remodelling and extension to existing High School for 161 pupils and a new Primary school for 75 pupils and a Nursery for 20 pupils

West Side Primary School, Barvas, Lewis – new Primary school for 100 pupils and Nursery for 23 pupils

Balivanich Primary School, Balivanich, Benbecula – new Primary school for 150 pupils and a 0-5 Nursery for 60 pupils

Bayble Primary School, Point, Lewis – new Primary school for 175 pupils and Nursery for 42 Pupils. 

This is the first Hybrid PPP procurement project in Scotland, which aims to provide all the best aspects of PPP without the perceived drawbacks with funding in the form of a government grant rather than through a private investor. The contract, in essence, is a standard Design & Build project, tendered at Stage D but with the added requirement for FM and building lifecycle expertise.  

3DReid have also taken the positive step of employing the whole consultant team to offer the client a one-stop service.

An SPV (called Sgoiltean Ura) has been set up as a separate arm of the council to deliver the project and operate the buildings on their behalf. The SPV will act as the contracting party up to RIBA Stage D. They will then procure the contractor and the design team will be novated over.

Alex Donaldson, Partnerships Director at 3DReid said: “We are delighted to have moved forwards with this exciting and challenging project. Our key aspiration for these community focused schools is to create innovative, sustainable and environmental design solutions and we look forward to working closely with the rest of the team and the local community to achieve this.” 

Start on site is expected in July 2010 with completion by July 2012.