Using local knowledge to win over the neighbours earned a construction manager a national award.

BAM construction worker Leo Amatino’s work on the Kingfisher Hall Primary Academy won him recognition in the Chartered Institute of Building’s Construction Manager of the Year awards.

The project, erecting a two-storey building in Enfield Highway for 420 school pupils and 30 nursery children, was completed early in just 30 weeks.

However it was the way in which Mr Amatino won over initially anxious neighbours that got him on the competition shortlist.

He said: “There was quite a strong feeling that the local community did not want a building site in their area.

“But I know some of those residents. My children go to school just across the park, and I have friends whose child attends a special needs school opposite the site. People would tell my wife at the school gate if I got it wrong.”

To turn local opinion around, the manager worked around the needs of the site’s neighbours - including limiting site cabins to single-storey so they didn’t overlook houses, banning deliveries during school traffic rush hours and not carrying out noisy work at unsociable hours.

To make sure the project went as smoothly as possible, he also held daily meetings with subcontractors to build team spirit.

He said: “We made these meetings fun, talking about birthdays and football scores, but by the end of the project they were invaluable as people were pitching in to help each other.”

Mr Amatino started his career as an assistant site manager at BAM in October 1987 and has worked for the company ever since.

He said: “This is the closest I’ve ever worked to home - it gave it a really special flavour.

“I made sure local businesses and workers were involved wherever possible, and we had a great spirit on the project, which showed with it completing early.”

He will find out on October 30 whether he has secured a medal in the category for new build and refurbishment projects between £4m and £5m.