A GROUP of primary school children designed artwork to help brighten up a Winchester City Council development project in Winnall.
The Wates Group, which was appointed by the council to develop 76 new homes in the Winnall Manor Road estate, asked pupils from Winnall Primary School to create designs to bring some cheer to the boarding around the site.
The kids, from years four and five, were given a site tour before creating construction-themed ideas with the help of their art teacher Mrs Sarah Miles.
The designs were then super-sized and printed on the boards by social enterprise Nuneaton Signs.
The project is part of a wider effort by Wates to encourage children to explore the built environment and construction industry from a young age.
The developer has also provided construction-themed school books and playing cards, assemblies and new playground fencing for the primary school in Garbett Road.
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Council leader, Cllr Martin Tod, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to help the children unveil their artwork at the site.
“The new energy efficient homes are being developed for local people and future generations of Winchester residents, so having local children involved in its development is the perfect start to this ambition.
“The artwork has certainly brightened the surroundings and we’re thankful to Wates and the staff at Winnall Primary School, but most importantly, the children for their wonderful effort.”
David Notley, development director, said: “This has been a great project and we’ve loved seeing the art produced by Winnall Primary School. They bring life and colour to the site and will brighten the day of those that walk past.
“We want to inspire young people to consider a career in our industry in fun and creative ways and ensure we’re teaching the next generation about innovations that will bring down the environmental footprint of construction."
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A spokesperson for Winnall Primary School said: “We loved collaborating with Wates. This project has brought people together and begun a shared story about the community in which we live and work.
“As the art was unveiled the children spoke about feeling ‘famous’, ‘excited’ and ‘amazed’ as they would never have imagined being able to see their own art, on this scale, on display, outside of school. It promoted a sense of value and raised self-esteem as they spoke about how proud they were of the results.
“A huge thank you to Wates from the pupils at Winnall Primary School.”
The development will have a mix of private and social housing including 73 apartments and three two-bed houses.
The homes, which are set to be handed over to the council shortly, are all being built to Passivhaus standards, meaning they’ll be energy-efficient and economical to run.
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