Royal approval for Harrow LLP college completion

A Newcastle-based team of chartered surveyors is celebrating getting the royal seal of approval on the completion of its latest project.

HRH The Duke of York has officially opened the new £2.5 million extension to Darlington College, a project designed and managed by Harrow Consulting LLP.

The extension to Darlington’s Haughton Road site includes a two-stage extension and refurbishment project comprising a new, state-of-the-art advanced construction training facility.

With their own dedicated entrance, the expansion includes new purpose-built workshops for brick and plastering training, as well as green energy, plumbing and electrical workshops too.

Nick Rowling, partner at Harrow LLP said: “It was quite an honour to be present at the official opening and to see Prince Andrew touring the facilities. It is especially pleasing to be involved in a project with Darlington College which underlines their commitment to support the training and development of the construction leaders of tomorrow.”

Harrow Consulting LLP acted as lead consultants on the project, undertaking the project management, architectural design and construction design management coordination. Construction works were undertaken by Northumberland-based Howard Russell Construction.

The works, which started last summer, has added 2,300 square metres of new space to the campus and also include new teaching areas and new changing and refreshment facilities for the college’s construction-related students.

An extension to the learning resource centre, student support services and new IT facility has also been added.

Nick Rowling added: “A key design philosophy of the project was to rationalise student traffic by the formation of a central, designated student entrance area where personal protective equipment is issued to all students upon arrival.

“Students then enter the workshop areas and are able to replicate construction and engineering industry working conditions, which will be beneficial upon gaining full time employment.”

College principle, Tim Grant, said: “We’re deeply honoured to have welcomed HRH The Duke of York to officially open our new facilities which will significantly enhance the student experience and scope for learning. This expansion is a significant chapter in the history of Darlington College.

“The team from Harrow Consulting has been integral to the improvement. Their initial creativity at the design stage has been matched with their professionalism and thoroughness throughout the development and construction stages. We’re proud to list Harrow Consulting as a college partner.”

Harrow Consulting, who recently expanded into new premises in central Newcastle, was formed in 2010 by Nick Rowling and Graeme Harker. It counts the likes of Home Group, Sunderland Royal Hospital and Four Seasons Healthcare as clients.