EAST Ayrshire Council have revealed how they plan to save money in the construction of the new Knockroon Learning and Enterprise Campus.

A freedom of information request by the Chronicle has shown 12 areas of cost cutting the council plans to implement in order to save a further £5m.

They have already found £6m in efficiencies and value engineering to prevent the original estimate of £64m from spiralling out of control.

The plans include:

  • Standardising steel section sizes and change in precast slab floors to metal deck where appropriate;
  • Reducing non-educational circulation spaces;
  • Reducing storage water tank capacities;
  • Rationalising mechanical and electrical requirements by maximising the use of natural light and ventilation;
  • Relocating the proposed energy centre to avoid unnecessary drainage work;
  • Rationalising landscaping proposals conditioned by planning authority; Minor amendments to external facade detailing;
  • Changes to final material selection conditioned by planning authority including sports block and energy centre cladding;
  • Review of existing fixtures, furniture and equipment in good condition to supplement new where possible;
  • Changes to final internal material selection;
  • Rationalisation of final AV strategy and;
  • Reducing materials sent to landfill.

A spokesman for East Ayrshire Council said: “The council has identified an alternative option for recycling top and subsoil materials – which meet SEPA exemption licence requirements.

“Such soil can be used as part of the open-cast coal mine restoration programme, thus negating the need to pay landfill tax if the soil was taken to landfill sites.”

He also explained what “non-educational circulation spaces” are.

“There is a link corridor that runs the length of the building.

“The architects suggested that by reducing its width marginally this would have no effect on movement/circulation around the building, but the slightly reduced footprint would help reduce construction costs.”