Decision details

Approval to extend the appointment of Levitt Bernstein for RIBA Stage 3 to Stage 3+ on the Mallard Place project.

Decision Maker: Delivery Director

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

Approves the implementation of Contract Standing Order (CSO)18.03.3, 18.02.03 and 2.05.1(n) in order to extend Levitt Bernstein Stage 3 appointment value of £190,465 by the value of £72,906 (exc VAT) totalling a revised fee of £263,371

Reasons for the decision:

Levitt Berstein have designed the project to RIBA Stage 3 on the Mallard Place project and are currently appointed through to the end of RIBA Stage 3 and planning submission. Extending Levitt Bernstein’s contract to cover design work to a RIBA Stage 3+ will assist the project with the unforeseen concerns around the Building Safety Act Gateway 2 (GW2) submission and the current delays nationally with these GW2 applications getting approved. A Stage 3+ appointment for Levitt Bernstein will assist in further developing the design with the current designer, which will assist in de-risking the design ahead of submission for GW2
The benefit to the Mallard Place of an Architect Stage 3+ appointment is also to assist in de-risking the design for the potential contractors, which could potentially yield much lower design associated costs in the tenders as well as improving the chances of receiving viable tenders for the works contract.

Alternative options considered:

The Council may choose not to appoint Levitt Bernstein to RIBA Stage 3+, but this could cause an impact on the amount of viable tenders received, as well as higher tender prices that may cause an impact on the viability of the scheme.

Publication date: 18/11/2025

Date of decision: 18/11/2025