GMI have a longstanding track record of thinking through how our developments can integrate with the local community and bring direct benefits as the planning process unfolds. We have a commitment to finding innovative ways to enhance learning and encourage local school and business links.
As part of any new project, one of our first steps is to find out what extra we can bring to the local community as well as the benefits from the new development itself. In conjunction with the relevant local authorities, schools or community interest groups, we explore the opportunities, build new ideas and approaches to involvement and make things happen.
Local school students with Ian McMillan at the Opening of Thorpe Park’s Green Building 2007
Finishing touches at a Clay Cross Community Open Day
GMI cycle to the ‘Western Front’ to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armistice – GMI had sponsored the Leeds City Council Chelsea Flower Show entry on that theme in 2008
We have been at the forefront of partnerships and initiatives involving many schools and communities local to our developments, including:
- …the Thorpe Park Schools Partnership, aimed at encouraging linkages to grow between the East Leeds secondary schools and incoming occupiers at Thorpe Park, the 1.8 m sq ft Leeds business park
- …the Clay Cross Public Art project, where the local primary and secondary schools have widespread involvement with new town centre art work and additional art-based projects within the schools themselves
- …a range of projects with the David Young Community Academy in Seacroft, Leeds
- …support (with ideas, know how and contacts) from first inception for the North East Derbyshire District Council ‘Urban Design Academy’
- …concept planning for and delivery of Leeds Fashion Works, a widespread cross-disciplinary project aimed at encouraging school, college and business partnership projects in the Leeds City Region, based on the appeal of fashion to bring together opportunities for learning and skills training and also promotion of the wider Leeds area.
We work with teams of consultants who share our enthusiasm to ‘make a difference’ and who will take steps such as offering work experience, giving seminars or speaking at events aimed at assisting young people understand the world of work.
Case Studies
