Kier beats Skanska to £27m Brighton Academy deal

Kier has seen off Skanska's bid to win Brighton and Hove Council's £26m Falmer Academy scheme.

The scheme, let under Partnerships for Schools National Academies Framework, will commence this summer, with phase one of the new building ready by September 2010.

The council said Kier was chosen for its "imagination and expertise in school design", its commitment to boosting the local economy and its track record in building Academy schools.

Kier is also in the running for another four Academies schemes under the framework. The firm is up against Laing O'Rourke for Northumberland County Council's £48m Ashington Academy deal. The 2,700 student academy, which is sponsored by the Church of England and the Duke of Northumberland, will be built across five sites in Ashington, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and Lynemouth.

The shortlisting was delayed at the 11th hour last month after the council's scrutiny committee asked for reassurances from bidders that the scheme would provide training and jobs for local people.

Kier is also up against rival Willmott Dixon for the £17m Croydon Academy scheme, is vying with Balfour Beatty for the £28m Bushey Academy in Hertfordshire and is shortlisted with Skanska on the £19m Cheltenham Academy.

Meanwhile, Willmott Dixon and Balfour Beatty are battling it out for the £110m West Sussex Academies deal. The scheme will see four academies built across the region.