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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Chelmer Waterside Residential Development Scheme in Chelmsford

Chelmsford City Council · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 23:54.

Opportunity overview

Chelmsford City Council ("the Council") is seeking to award a development opportunity to invest in and deliver a residential-led mixed use scheme integrating new homes, ancillary leisure & commercial spaces, community facilities with vibrant public realm spaces taking full advantage of the water frontage. The site known as Chelmer Waterside comprises approximately 6.33 hectares (15.63 acres) and is formed on three land parcels at a prominent city centre location. The site is estimated to be capable of accommodating a development in the region of 770 to 1,000 new homes and the development outputs are expected to be delivered in phases. The Council requires that 35% of the total number of houses delivered across the site to be affordable homes. The Council may require the developer to offer rights of first refusal (or similar options) to acquire the affordable housing to CHP as the Council's nominated housing association purchaser. The scheme will also involve demolition works, land decontamination remediation works at a former gasworks site, delivering a car parking solution, promoting and selling developed assets as well as securing the implementation of an estate management strategy agreed with the Council. The developer will be required to deliver a comprehensive skills and training programme as part of the Council's social value requirements for this project. The estimated development value of the scheme is between £200 to £250 million. However, potential returns will depend on many commercial factors including (but not limited to) the performance of the developer and market conditions. Bidders should seek independent legal and commercial advice in relation to the development potential of the site and the potential value of the opportunity. This tender notice is for the award of a public contract through a competitive flexible procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023. The development agreement is a concession contract with the delivery of works as its primary subject matter. The range of other works and services that will or may be required are indicated by the CPV codes below. The competitive flexible procedure may include negotiation at any stage. The Council reserves the right to rely on Section 24 of the Procurement Act 2023 to refine award criteria. The Council intends to shortlist up to 3 suppliers with the highest scoring Procurement Specific Questionnaire ("PSQ") responses to participate in the tender stages of the competitive flexible procedure. The 3 shortlisted suppliers will be invited participate in the dialogue and negotiation phase and then submit final tenders. The supplier with the most advantageous tender will be invited to participate in the preferred bidder stage to confirm commitments in its tender. The Council will use an online portal at https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/4FX69D524H ("the Portal") to make associated tender documents available to suppliers. Suppliers requesting to participate in this procurement competition are also required to submit their completed PSQs through the Portal. The following associated tender documents are being provided with the publication of this tender notice to provide further information about the procurement and are available on the Portal: Tender Notice -Procurement Specific Questionnaire ("PSQ") -Invitation to Submit Draft Solutions ("ISDS") -Memorandum of Information ("MOI") -Heads of Terms ("HoTs") -Financial Model -Redline Plan The following associated tender documents will be made available later through the Portal to bidders shortlisted to participate in the tender stages of this competitive flexible procedure: -Information regarding CHP -Development Agreement Terms -Funding arrangements with Homes England -Invitation to Submit Final Tenders ("ISFT") -Selected reports and information relating to the site will also be made available later through the Portal to bidders shortlisted to participate in the tender stages of this competitive flexible procedure. To view this notice, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=973428178

Classification

  • CPV31158000 — Chargers
  • CPV31681500 — Rechargers
  • CPV34000000 — Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
  • CPV45000000 — Construction work
  • CPV51110000 — Installation services of electrical equipment
  • CPV51214000 — Installation services of parking meter equipment
  • CPV65300000 — Electricity distribution and related services
  • CPV70000000 — Real estate services
  • CPV71200000 — Architectural and related services
  • CPV71313000 — Environmental engineering consultancy services
  • CPV71314300 — Energy-efficiency consultancy services
  • CPV71315200 — Building consultancy services
  • CPV71315300 — Building surveying services
  • CPV71410000 — Urban planning services
  • CPV71420000 — Landscape architectural services
  • CPV71500000 — Construction-related services
  • CPV73220000 — Development consultancy services
  • CPV90712100 — Urban environmental development planning
  • CPV90715110 — Gasworks site investigation

Lots

  • Lot 1£250m

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
CCC/2025/WATERSIDE
Status
active
Published risks
The Council considers that the following are known risks which, if they were to materialise, could prevent the satisfactory performance of the development agreement for the Council and require a subsequent modification to the public contract under paragraph 5 of Schedule 8 to the Procurement Act 2023. The known risk of hazardous substances, structural issues and ground conditions being discovered at the site could increase costs or lead to a delay in the programme that could potentially require a variation or addition to the works and/or services to satisfactorily perform the development agreement. The severity and impact of such factors may not be known until after the commencement of the development agreement, the completion of surveys or the works are underway. Chelmsford City Council is subject to the English Devolution White Paper which will lead to local government re-organisation potentially during the term of this contract. This has now moved on to proposals in the  English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. This risk is defined as a known unknown risk as we do not yet understand the implications of that potential re-organisation.
Above Threshold
Yes
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
works
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Expression Of Interest Deadline
26 Sept 2025, 12:00

Covered By

GPA
CPTPP

Procedure

Features
The Council intends to shortlist up to 3 suppliers with the highest scoring Procurement Specific Questionnaire ("PSQ") responses to participate in the tender stages of the competitive flexible procedure. The 3 shortlisted suppliers will be invited participate in the dialogue and negotiation phase and then submit final tenders. The supplier with the most advantageous tender will be invited to participate in the preferred bidder stage to confirm commitments in its tender.

Amendments

Entry 1
Id
014105-2025
Description
Incorrect engagement deadline. Edited to: 23rd April 2025
Entry 2
Id
058988-2025
Description
The deadline of this tender opportunity has been extended to the 3rd October 2025 at 12 noon. The notice has been updated to reflect this.

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Expected award period

Ends
2 Feb 2026, 23:59

Tender Period

Ends
3 Oct 2025, 12:00

Contract terms

Financial Terms
Payment terms (UK4_137): In addition to payments being made within 30 days for valid, undisputed invoices that are not for concession contracts, utilities contracts awarded by private utilities, or contracts awarded by schools. You may also describe the processes for submitting invoices and dealing with disputed invoices:

Enquiry period

Ends
12 Sept 2025, 12:00

Special regime

concession

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
active

Value

Amount
250,000,000
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
250,000,000

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
High Level Scheme Concept
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
12.5
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Achieving Successful Placemaking
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Name
Integrating Proposed Uses
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
7.5
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 4
Name
Planning Approach
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
5
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 5
Name
Delivery Plan and Programme
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
5
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 6
Name
Project Management
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
5
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 7
Name
Social Value
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
5
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 8
Name
Public and Stakeholder Engagement
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
5
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 9
Name
Total Financial Offer
Type
cost

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
12.5
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 10
Name
Assumptions and Evidence Provided
Type
cost

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
12.5
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 11
Name
Funding Proposal
Type
cost

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
5
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 12
Name
Overage Proposal
Type
cost

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
5
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 13
Name
Legal
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
1 Jan 2032, 23:59
Starts
9 Feb 2026, 00:00

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Please see the Procurement Specific Questionnaire ("PSQ") for details of the conditions of participation. The PSQ is available to download through the Portal. Suppliers wishing to apply to participate in the competitive flexible procedure must submit a completed PSQ through the Portal by 12 noon on 3rd October 2025
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Please see the Procurement Specific Questionnaire ("PSQ") for details of the conditions of participation. The PSQ is available to download through the Portal. Suppliers wishing to apply to participate in the competitive flexible procedure must submit a completed PSQ through the Portal by 12 noon on 3rd October 2025

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH36
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKH36
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
31158000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Chargers
Entry 2
Id
31681500
Scheme
CPV
Description
Rechargers
Entry 3
Id
34000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
Entry 4
Id
45000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Construction work
Entry 5
Id
51110000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Installation services of electrical equipment
Entry 6
Id
51214000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Installation services of parking meter equipment
Entry 7
Id
65300000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Electricity distribution and related services
Entry 8
Id
70000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Real estate services
Entry 9
Id
71200000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Architectural and related services
Entry 10
Id
71313000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental engineering consultancy services
Entry 11
Id
71314300
Scheme
CPV
Description
Energy-efficiency consultancy services
Entry 12
Id
71315200
Scheme
CPV
Description
Building consultancy services
Entry 13
Id
71315300
Scheme
CPV
Description
Building surveying services
Entry 14
Id
71410000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Urban planning services
Entry 15
Id
71420000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Landscape architectural services
Entry 16
Id
71500000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Construction-related services
Entry 17
Id
73220000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Development consultancy services
Entry 18
Id
90712100
Scheme
CPV
Description
Urban environmental development planning
Entry 19
Id
90715110
Scheme
CPV
Description
Gasworks site investigation

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Entry 2
Id
050668-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
tenderNotice
Published
21 Aug 2025, 19:05
Entry 3
Id
058988-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
tenderNotice
Published
23 Sept 2025, 16:00

Planning and budget

Documents

Entry 1
Id
014070-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Published
9 Apr 2025, 16:05
Entry 2
Id
014105-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Published
9 Apr 2025, 17:16

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Status
scheduled
Due
23 Apr 2025, 23:59
Description
1:1 preliminary market engagement sessions will be held from 14th April 2025 by the Council in partnership with Lambert Smith Hampton. These sessions are open to suppliers who have acquired and constructed over 200 units on a single site within the last five years-either individually or as part of a consortium-and who are interested in learning more about this opportunity at this stage. The Council reserves the right not to invite suppliers who do not meet this requirement to a 1:1 session. 1:1 sessions will be held via MS Teams (link to be provided) and will include a presentation from LSH covering the detail of the scheme and be an opportunity for suppliers to engage and respond to the Developer Engagement questions set out in the Chelmer Waterside Information Pack Pack [(available to access and download here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/3B48AQJ9MQ)] The presentation and questioning will take approximately 45 minutes. Attendees will be able to share feedback during their allocated 1:1 session or provide written responses via email to the following address: asorayapour@lsh.co.uk nparlett@lsh.co.uk wcollomosse@lsh.co.uk with responses required by April 23rd 2025. To register your interest in arranging a 1:1 session, please contact William Collomosse at wcollomossee@lsh.co.uk (copying in asorayapour@lsh.co.uk). The Council intends to accommodate a maximum of 15 1:1 sessions with interested suppliers, with slots allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. There is opportunity for an in-person meeting at LSH office (55 Wells Street, London, W1T 3PT) instead of MS Teams. If this is preferred, please make this clear when contacting William Collomosse. Suppliers which the Council cannot accommodate in a 1:1 session are welcome in any event to respond to the Developer Engagement questions set out in the Chelmer Waterside Information Pack. Responses are required in writing via email to the following addresses by April 16th 2025: asorayapour@lsh.co.uk, nparlett@lsh.co.uk and wcollomosse@lsh.co.uk. The estimated Gross Development Value (GDV) of the contract is approximately £300,000,000 (Three Hundred Million). Subject to final confirmation, the tender notice publication will be issued during May 2025 All contact should be made through the email addresses provided above and not through the Delta eSourcing portal. The Delta eSourcing portal has been setup to provide the information pack only. Any contact/information received or uploaded through the portal may not be responded too. If required, please use Delta access code: 3B48AQJ9MQ

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-PPON-PYRZ-1467-WNJW
Name
Chelmsford City Council

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKH36
Country
GB
Locality
Chelmsford
Postal Code
CM1 1JE
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Civic Centre

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Description
Public authority - sub-central government

Identifier

Id
PYRZ-1467-WNJW
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Name
Emma Till
Telephone
01245606606

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Chelmsford · UKH36 · CM1 1JE · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKH36 · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-04fff6-2025-09-23T16:00:39+01:00Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·