Decision details

To accept the tender received from “Grass Roots Planning Ltd” to act as planning consultant for the redevelopment of the former Monkscroft School Site and for CBC to enter into contract with them.

The scope of services for a planning consult was procured through the council’s In-Tend procurement platform October 2023. Following a competitive tendering process, a total of 11 tenders were submitted and provided a wide range of quality responses. Via our tender evaluation process we have demonstrated value for money as well as obtained confidence that the services can be carried out in line with CBC’s / CBH’s expectations of quality.
The successful bidder has demonstrated a solid understanding of the local planning requirements as well as evidenced experience in delivering planning applications to national standard and legislation. The successful bidder’s response scored highest on all quality questions and criteria.

An alternative option would have been to procure the architectural team first and ask them to include the planning consultant services and role as well. However, we assessed this scenario and found that a project of this size and complexitAlisy would need to have an independent specific planning consultant appointed to oversee and support the planning process – this approach was rejected on this basis.