Decision details

CBC purchased 232-242 and 254 High Street with a view to redevelop the site including the rear parking area.  It is anticipated that the new development will be a mixed use scheme with commercial premises on the ground floor and residential units on the upper floors.  The demolition and construction work required to deliver the project will be very challenging due to the location of the site, which is in a busy retail location, the existing properties are attached to adjoining premises which are owned by third parties and the site has restricted access.  In addition the financial viability of the project will be a challenge due to recent construction cost inflation.

It is therefore proposed to engage a contractor at an early stage of the project as they will be able to support the design of the development as well as ensuring best value is achieved through the design and construction stages.

The Scape Frameworks have been reviewed by the CBC team and they allow early and controlled engagement of contractors and consultants.

It is therefore proposed to engage Willmott Dixon through the Scape Framework as they have a good track record of delivering complex City and Town Centre schemes.  In addition they have recently delivered the new Crematorium for CBC.

In addition CBC require project and cost management services for the project.  Scape will enable Gleeds (part of Perfect Circle) to be engaged to work with CBC and provide support to the project as well as challenging Willmott Dixon through the development process.

Scape is an existing Public Sector Framework which allows early engagement of contractors.  Contractors on the framework have demonstrated their ability to deliver projects to a high standard whilst using local supply chains. Consultant fee rates have been tendered and are already agreed.

An alternative Scape contractor was considered but Willmott Dixon have previously delivered a successful project for CBC and demonstrate good experience of delivering similarly complex projects.

Perfect Circle are a consortium of consultants each with good and experienced resources.  Gleeds have been chosen as they have a good track record of delivering projects and are currently able to resource the project with a team abased locally out of their Bristol office.

The Executive Director (Finance, Assets and Regeneration) and Director (Major Developments and Regeneration) have been working up this solution for almost 2 years, regularly consulting the Cabinet and Group Leaders.