Decision details

Contract award -  Lead Architect and Design Team for the proposed developments of new homes at Barclay Close, Becklow Gardens, The Grange & Jepson House.

The Cabinet Member for the Economy is recommended to:  

1.    To note that Appendix 1 is not for publication on the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

2.    To approve the appointment of PRP Architects LLP to provide professional ‘Design Team’ services consisting of:

* Lead Architect

* Lead Designer (to coordinate design)

* Planning Consultant

* Landscape Architect

* Structural and Civil Engineers

* M&E Consultant

* Sustainability & Energy Consultant

* Plus some proprietary survey work (geotechnical assessment, prelim ecological appraisal, arboricultural impact assessment and others)

To redevelop each of the four independent sites through Gateways 2 – Planning and 3 – Procurement (RIBA Stages 1 – 4) of the Council’s Development Gateway process. The Headline Programme up to Planning is shown below.

3.    To note individual budget allocations including 10% contingency (at a total of £1,922,008) from the existing budget envelope as set out below:

     i)        Barclay Close for a value of £351,983.50

    ii)        Becklow Gardens for a value of £477,582.88

   iii)        land behind the Grange for a value of £417,859.75 and

   iv)        land adjacent to Jepson House for a value of £674,581.88

4.    To note that this sets the build standard to aspirational on all four projects combined, with all four projects independent of each other.

The Decision to award this contract will enable the council to deliver on the Four sites housing developments in the borough, a crucial step in delivering targets on the provision of affordable homes.

Option 1: Do nothing (not recommended)

The “do nothing” option would either mean (a) not proceeding with this decision or (b) not proceeding with the redevelopment projects or (c) not appointing a control team but proceeding with developments.

Not proceeding with this decision but proceeding with the redevelopment would result in further delay to procurement of the Design Team which are specialist services not available to the council internally. This option would significantly delay commencement on site and ultimately the timely delivery of much needed affordable housing.

Not proceeding with this project would mean the Council not complying with its GLA funding and delivery commitments. This would also not be in line with the Council’s commitment to delivering the redevelopment of the site and would result in no re-provision of much needed genuinely affordable housing in the Borough.

Option 2: Proceed with Appointment (recommended)

Proceed with the appointment of PRP Architects LLP as the Design Team for the four sites.