Construction work

Tender description

Church Street is Westminster City Council’s flagship regeneration project. The Council has ambitious plans and is committed to significant investment to sustainably regenerate the Church Street and build on the distinctive character of the place and its people. The Council objectives for the project are set out in the ‘City for All’ Masterplan Framework and Housing Renewal Strategy. The scheme is split into three parcels, Sites A, B and C. The Council is currently working up proposals and a business case for Church Street Site A. The site comprises two proposed buildings fronting Church Street the rear of Edgware Road. This prior information Notice is to seek feedback from the market regarding the progress on site A to date as well as options/suggestions for progressing and future delivery, as such if your organisation is interested in participating in this round of soft market testing please contact srogers@westminster.gov.uk to register your interest and further information. Current development proposals include: Redevelopment of site A will deliver circa 388 homes including — social rent re-provision – circa 98 homes (25 %) — leaseholder re-provision – circa 16 homes (4 %) — market sale – circa 188 homes (48 %) — Additional social rent – circa 41 homes (11 %) — additional Intermediate rent – circa 45 homes (12 %). Circa 1 140 m2 of flexible retail space along Church Street. Library space on Church Street with access to external courtyard space. Landscaped courtyards. Circa 23 trader parking spaces on the ground floor (under the podium). Circa 40 car parking spaces in the basement including 21 accessible spaces. Variation in building heights is proposed with between 7-10 storeys fronting Edgware Road and Church Street; 7-10 storeys on New Street; 9-12 storeys fronting Penfold Street and 6-12 storeys on Broadley Street. The Council will deliver a development that is compliant with adopted planning policy. The Council is currently progressing design to RIBA Stage 2 and has received extensive pre-application advice from the planning authority. Design of the scheme has not concluded and is on-going. In addition to progressing planning matters the Council is making excellent progress in preparing Site A for development including: Extensive community engagement particularly with site A residents on key matters such as layout of the homes, public realm and open space, and maintaining the community feel has been undertaken in 2019. Discussions with community leaders including the Neighbourhood Forum and local ward Councillors have informed the development of the Stage 2 proposals. Consideration of funding requirements and financial implications on the Council (Housing Revenue Account and General Fund) and its associated body Westminster Housing Investment Limited (WHIL). A detailed housing needs assessment of all tenants in Site A Preparation is ongoing for decanting tenants permanently or temporarily to new build rented properties in the local area including at Lyons Place and then at West End Gate next summer, and to find suitable decant accommodation for the Community Supported Housing residents in Lambourne House. Negotiations with residential and commercial leaseholders, to acquire their interests through private treaty, are progressing at pace with the aim to achieving vacant possession by the end of 2021. Preparation of a vacant possession management strategy is also being progressed in parallel to negotiations to acquire. The procurement process for Site A provides a tremendous opportunity to partner with an authority with ambitious regeneration plans. The Council is currently working up a full business case including considering delivery options/structures. This work has not concluded so the Council currently retains flexibility on the options available to bring on a development partner to assist with some or all of the design/planning, funding, construction and sales/letting of the development.