Project, Programme & Cost Management
Morley Learning & Skills Centre
GenNorth were appointed by Luminate Education Group (LEG) to provide Project and Cost Management Services for the Morley Learning and Skills Centre scheme, aimed at redeveloping the Grade II listed St. Mary’s in the Wood Church into an advanced adult education hub. This project marked a pivotal step in Leeds City Council's efforts to enhance educational and vocational opportunities, in line with the Morley Investment Plan.
Collaborating with LEG’s Capital Project Team, Leeds City Council, and design teams, GenNorth conducted value engineering to ensure design compatibility with financial limits while achieving educational and community goals. They managed intricate approval processes involving Leeds City Council, which acted as both landlord and primary funder. This required alignment of procurement strategies with Leeds City Council and LEG guidelines, particularly during the contractor selection process.
Upon completing RIBA Stage 3, revised cost plans were presented to LEG and Leeds City Council, leading to discussions that redefined project responsibilities. Leeds City Council assumed control over the design team, including GenNorth, and took charge of Stage 4 design and delivery. LEG transitioned into the tenant role instead of overseeing the development directly. During this transition, GenNorth supported LEG in revising the Heads of Terms for the lease agreement to secure their long-term tenant interests.
GenNorth continue to collaborate with Leeds City Council through subsequent design and delivery stages. This project is due to complete in 2026.
The church hall, originally constructed as a Sunday school in the 19th century, had served as church premises since the former church was destroyed by fire approximately ten years prior. The refurbishment aimed to transform the hall into a cutting-edge adult skills hub featuring classrooms, meeting spaces, offices, a café, reception area, and an ‘Emerging Technology Facility.’ The facility will focus on skill development in fields like virtual reality, robotics, artificial intelligence, CAD, and 3D printing, supporting the post-pandemic economic recovery and future workforce needs.
GenNorth joined the project at RIBA Stage 3, where the Stage 2 cost plan had surpassed budget constraints, threatening its feasibility. Our initial step was to reassess the Stage 2 cost plan to identify savings while preserving the project's scope and quality. With a fixed funding envelope, primarily supported by Towns Deal funding from Leeds City Council and contributions from LEG, GenNorth implemented rigorous cost control to avoid overruns.
Key Information
Location: Yorkshire
Date Started: February 2024
Sector: Education
Services: Project and Cost Management
