MK East School & Community Hub
A modern education and healthcare centre supporting a growing community in Milton Keynes.
Delivering Essential Infrastructure for a Growing Community
The purpose of this project was to deliver a new Primary School and a Community Health Hub in the MK East Strategic Urban Extension (MKESUE) area of Milton Keynes. The project aims to provide facilities for an expanding community, with the new school providing 39 Nursery places and 630 Primary places and will be the first part of an all-through School, with the future Secondary provision site being approximately 250m across the road.
The Community Health Hub will provide a range of primary care, community health and other community-based services. School facilities like the hall and playing fields will be made available for community use, promoting social interaction and engagement.
Government Support & Vision
The project is part of a larger infrastructure package funded by the UK Government's Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF). It provides essential infrastructure for new residential developments in the area, ensuring that facilities can keep pace with population growth.
Backed by government funding. Built for growth. Trusted by partners.
Part of a HIF-funded development in Milton Keynes—this project supports infrastructure for over x new homes in a high-growth region.
Used A2 fire-rated Hardie® Panel, compliant with EAD Category I. Enabled faster installation (single layer up to 1.5m), cutting both labour time and costs.
Colour change handled post-order with zero delays to site delivery. Installation was completed quickly and without complications, backed by on-site technical support.
Smart Design with Sustainability in Mind
The buildings were designed with a focus on sustainability, using renewable energy sources and clever technology to minimise environmental impact and reduce long-term running costs.
The clients were looking for an affordable cladding option that was both durable and sustainable. They wanted to create a colourful learning environment for the students and visitors who would be using the buildings.
Cladding Choice – Hardie® Panel
Why Ashe Construction Chose Hardie® Panel
Ashe Construction chose Hardie® Panel because of its durability, affordability and sustainable credentials – it achieves EAD Category I, meaning that only one layer needs to be installed up to 1.5m high from the ground, making it perfect for education projects.
The A2 fire rated panel ensures robust protection against fire and extreme weather while delivering a stylish and long-lasting finish for any project (with a warranty of 15 years). It is also specifically engineered with a medium density for the European climate, not only minimising resource consumption but also lowering associated CO2 emissions.
Although we faced a last-minute colour change for the Hardie® Panels after placing the order, James Hardie quickly accommodated the change and ensured we met our delivery deadlines. The panels were easy to handle and cut, and the installation was quick and efficient. The team was always available and visited the site to resolve any issues, strengthening our partnership. We chose Hardie® Panel for its durability, affordability, and quality, and we’ve since decided to use it for other education projects.
Ben Walker
Contracts Manager at Ashe Construction
Touch it. Trust it. Build with it.
Order a free sample to experience the texture, tone, and quality that sets Hardie® Panel apart from the rest. See how it feels in your hand — and how it fits in your vision.