Member Article

Sheffield’s Henry Boot wins £10 million Doncaster eco business park contract

Sheffield contractor Henry Boot Construction has begun work on the new Doncaster International Business Park project at Robin Hood Airport

Henry Boot won the £10 million contract to carry out the first phase of the development, known as Fountain Court Workpods in a competitive tender for Leeds-based developer Prospect Property Group.

The scheme, which is due for completion in May next year is expected to create over 130 new jobs, providing environmentally sustainable office accommodation for 134 staff in 41 ‘workpod’ office units of 1,450 sq ft and 1,600 sq ft in two, three and four-unit blocks.

The project has attracted £1.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF programme 2007-13.

Previously owned by the Ministry of Defence, the business park site was home to RAF Finningley’s parade ground and barracks before the air base was closed and redeveloped as Robin Hood Airport in 2005.

In its new incarnation it will be home to eco-friendly workpods constructed to the highest environmental standards, making it the most energy efficient office development in the region.

The workpods will feature large windows, super-high insulation and roof lights equipping them to retain maximum heat and light from the sun.

Jonathan Raistrick, projects director at Prospect Property Group, said: “The workpods at Fountain Court will be a remarkable place to work in terms of their environmental credentials and energy efficiency, while their location, right next to the airport and with massively upgraded road and rail links on the doorstep, has to be one of the best in Yorkshire.

“Not surprisingly, we are already receiving a steady stream of enquiries, both from investors and from potential tenants.”

Tony Shaw, director of Henry Boot Construction, said: “We are really excited to have started work on Fountain Court, which will provide Doncaster with a top notch facility. It’s a cutting edge scheme in many ways and one that will be a real boost to South Yorkshire.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .