Decision details

For the Joint Head of Housing Development, to approve entering into a contract with Bell Phillips Architects Limited to provide Lead Designer services in relation to the proposed development at Hillcrest Estate N6, for a sum of £78,000.00 pursuant to Contract Standing Orders 8, 12.02 and 2.05.1 n) approve award of Contracts with a value up to £500,000.

The Hillcrest Estate N6 site has been designated by Haringey Council for the direct delivery of new Council homes. The project requires a multi-disciplinary consultant team to input on the design and delivery of the project throughout the project lifecycle.

This contract involves the appointment of a Lead Designer to provide design services for RIBA Stages 0-1, ensuring efficient and effective design and co-ordination of initial proposals for the site.

As this is a highly complex and potentially contentious site, it is essential that the appropriate lead designer is brought on board to lead on the design as well as the consultation and engagement with statutory consultees, local residents and interest groups.

The initial Feasibility and Design exercise is intended to include a thorough investigation into the most appropriate form of development on the site. Given the various constraints and the need for any development to positively interface with the existing estate, the density, scale, and nature of the proposed development will only be able to be properly ascertained after the initial design exercise has been completed. With this in mind, the initial appointment has been limited to Riba Stages 0 and 1 with a future appointment for subsequent design Stages to be outlined based on a much more specific brief should the project progress to planning and delivery stages.

The appointed consultant will work closely with the Council and other stakeholders, providing expert advice and support throughout the project stages outlined. This appointment is crucial for the successful delivery of this affordable housing project, ensuring it meets the Council’s standards and objectives.

The commission was tendered via HPCS.

Option 1 – Do nothing / Do not appoint a Lead Designer. The Council could decide not to appoint this consultant or to commission Lead Designer services, however as this is an essential consultant service, this would likely prejudice the delivery of the project, hindering the delivery of much-needed new council homes.

Option 2 – Approach the market. The procurement process yielded four responses; The budget outlined for this requirement in the RFQ was £78,000 (excluding VAT), with all bidders falling within this budget threshold. There are no reasons to believe that retendering will lead to a better outcome and would also create delays, with additional associated costs.