Major Whitehead projects nearing completion

14 October 2024

King Henry VIII School in Abergavenny: picture by Darren Rhys Thomas of main contractor Morgan Sindall.

As we approach the final part of 2024, we’re also approaching the end of some of the major projects we have been working on including Pentre Awel, Abergavenny School (pictured above) and Cardiff Airport to name but a few.

King Henry VIII School in Abergavenny.

This new school is Monmouthshire’s first Net Zero Carbon School – an amazing project because it has modern Welsh curriculum at the heart of its design as well as biophilic design influences. The school will deliver superb sports facilities, and forest schools to facilitate outdoor learning. It also has community facilities, as well as the environment, at the heart of its delivery. At Whitehead we have a large team delivering our Engineering side of the project including several Apprentices, who are doing a fantastic job with us.

This brand new School is also using latest technologies including infrared heat mapping, air source heat pumps and solar photovoltaics underfloor heating to name but a few – we’re so excited for the finished product, which should be towards the end of 2024.

View some of the incredible progress on this site – both mechanical and electrical – doesn’t it look great!

Satellite Radiotherapy Unit (SRU) in Neville Hall Hospital, Abergavenny

The Satellite Radiotherapy Unit in Abergavenny will include two Radiotherapy Bunker rooms, which will house the unit’s medical linear accelerator (LINAC) radiotherapy machines. The walls, floors and roofs of these bunkers will be made of thick concrete to provide radiation shielding. At present we’re about to reach sectional completion of the second bunkers and control rooms to allow fit-out of specialist Varian to install the LINAC machines.

The centre, which is set to open by Spring 2025, will provide radiotherapy services closer to the homes of residents in Gwent and those living in the north and east of catchment area of Velindre Cancer Centre. The investment will provide new and improved treatment for cancer patients, deliver safe radiotherapy services, and improve the capacity and efficiency of the service – by delivering quicker and more targeted treatment. It will also have fantastic views of the Blorenge from many of the rooms. The centre will offer the following: • A Radiotherapy Satellite with 2 operational Linac machines; • Radiotherapy Planning; • On-treatment review; • On-treatment education; and • CT Simulator

Main contractor : Kier

Project value: £38 million

Newport East Health and Wellbeing Centre: “19 Hills Health & Wellbeing Centre”.

The new centre on the site of the former Ringland Medical Practice will include a GP surgery, dental services, family and therapy facilities, pharmacy, midwifery and community nurses and adult social care. A £27.5 million project, procured via the NHS Building for Wales Framework for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, with Kier as main contractor, the project began in 2021 and is due to complete towards the end of the year and open to the public in early 2025.

The site has been officially named as “19 Hills Health & Wellbeing Centre”, a name chosen by the local community which it will serve.

Cardiff Airport

Cardiff Airport Next Generation Security project has been delivered over 2 phases and has provided the airport with a new central search facility comprising of new F&B unit, new security lanes & 3D body scanners and major M&E infrastructure upgrades. Due for completion later this year this project is part of major development work for the airport.

Phase 1 comprised of…

  • Full isolation and decommission of the existing M&E (mechanical and electrical) services in conjunction with the asbestos removal specialist.
  • Diversion of the primary M&E service riser to facilitate the expansion of the current search area.

Phase 2 comprised of…

  • Upgrade and replacement of the main terminal LV Panel and partial replacement of the LV distribution system.
  • Upgrade and replacement of the main terminal air handling plant.
  • Full M&E fit out of the new central search and queueing areas.

Main contractor: BECT