Agenda item

This report sought approval to appoint contractors for the final phase of landscape works, which would deliver a comprehensive package of improvements to The Paddock including enhanced arrival spaces; a new and improved network of primary and secondary paths providing access for all; enhanced planting and landscaping; new wetland areas; a wildlife-viewing hide; signage and interpretation panels; benches and bins, and facilities for educational activities to be delivered on-site by our partners, TCV. The value of the landscape works was £1,069,938.58. This was funded from the Council’s capital programme (Capital Scheme 401: Tottenham Hale Green and Open Spaces Strategy), and a s.106 contribution of £576,144 (including indexation) secured from the Hale Wharf development.

Cllr Gordon raised a query in regard to engagement with residents on this project. Officers explained there would be an introduction to the Paddock for local residents. There were talks within within the team about the creation of a leaflet for council tenants moving in the vicinity in terms of what they could access at the paddock.

RESOLVED

The Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy,

1. Approve, pursuant to Contract Standing Order 9.07.1(d), the award of a contract to Bidder 1 for delivery of a package of RIBA Stage 5-6 landscape works at The Paddock, Tottenham Hale, for the sum of £1,069,983.58 subject to the further recommendation in section 3.1 of Part B, and subject to the Council entering into a lease of Thames Water land at The Paddock for a term of 125 years, which will be the subject of a separate report.

Reasons for decision

• The selected landscape contractor was the highest scoring bidder across quality, social value and price.

• The selected contractor provides a high level of expertise in working in sensitive ecological environments. They had demonstrated a strong response to the tender specification and provide value for money for the Council.

• The works were within budget and had been assessed through a robust process and found to be reasonable and competitive.

Alternative options considered

Not awarding the contract

• The Paddock Enhancement Programme had already made significant progress in transforming the site through the established management contract with TCV and the preliminary land remediation works.

• Not awarding the contract for comprehensive landscape works would mean the project would not be able to build on the progress made to date, and the long-term partnership with TCV may be put at risk.

• The project would not be able to deliver the planned accessibility improvements for all sections of the community; the improved arrival spaces to enhance the connections to the neighbouring area and the new Council housing at Hale Wharf in particular; or the enhanced educational facilities to underpin the project’s community engagement and volunteering activities.

• This would undermine the vision for The Paddock of delivering an enhanced site with a long-term management plan in place to secure Local Nature Reserve Status.

Delivering enhancements incrementally

• Delivering the landscape works contract incrementally would prolong the Paddock enhancement programme and would likely lead to higher costs due to contractor mobilisation and preliminary set-up costs for each phase of works. An extended programme may also have a negative ecological impact on previously improved and established habitats, as well as involving regular restrictions on public access.

• While some elements of the ecological enhancement of the site were being delivered incrementally, e.g. habitat protection and planting enhancement, delivering the landscape works contract incrementally would not provide the impactful and timely changes that are needed to the site to meet the growing demand for improved access to nature and green space.