A new net zero carbon school building has now opened at Beaulieu in Chelmsford, the flagship development built by Countryside (now part of the Vistry Group) and L&Q. The new building, open to pupils beginning in September, provides an extension to the existing Beaulieu Park School, doubling the number of primary school places from 420 to 840 to meet the rising educational demand in the area.

Regional construction firm R G Carter, working closely with Essex County Council, Ingleton Wood Architects, and the developers of Beaulieu—Countryside and L&Q—has successfully delivered the expanded school building, which has been designed with sustainability at its core. 

The completed two-storey facility features classrooms for reception, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils, as well as a dedicated nurture class space. Additionally, the new building includes a modern sports hall, kitchen, dining area, and various outdoor spaces, such as recreational areas, playing fields, and a habitat area. 

To achieve net zero status, the extended building features a range of sustainable technologies, including photovoltaic (PV) panels and air source heat pumps, which work together to reduce energy usage and maximise renewable energy sources. The school extension has been designed to meet a low energy consumption target of 65 kWh/m² per annum and the building’s highly insulated fabric, combined with low air tightness, was constructed using an offsite timber frame to minimise the impact of construction on the local community.

The school was thoughtfully designed in collaboration with Essex and Chelmsford City Council planners to ensure it integrates with the surrounding residential development. Both the interior and exterior spaces have been crafted with flexibility in mind, catering to various community needs as the area continues to develop.

Martin Leach, Managing Director, Vistry Major Projects said: “We are delighted to see the completion of this Net Zero school expansion, marking a significant achievement for the Beaulieu community. This new primary school is a fantastic example of our commitment to providing top-tier amenities and infrastructure to support the growing community. The net zero building demonstrates our ongoing commitment to creating sustainable places for residents and members of the local community.”

Adam Simpson, Development & Project Management Director at L&Q, said: “Our mission at L&Q is to create homes and neighbourhoods everyone can be proud of. Great provision of school places and a commitment to truly sustainable development form part of that mission, which is why we are delighted to see the completion of Beaulieu’s new Net Zero primary school, just in time to welcome hundreds of new students.

James Wilson at R G Carter said: “It has been wonderful to work with Essex County Council from the very start of the planning and design process of this educational project, helping to develop a sustainable Net Zero solution. We are delighted to now hand over the completed school, which will not only become a fun and educational space for the new pupils but will also benefit the environment and future generations to come.

Councillor Tony Ball, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “We have an excellent track record of creating new school places in Essex and this new school building will support the growing community in this part of Chelmsford. I have seen the hugely impressive facilities firsthand, and the state-of-the-art school building will ensure children in the area have access to the high-quality education facilities they deserve.”