Decision details
Procurement of professional services to undertake the revised outline design, consultation and detailed design for the Cathedral and River Wye Quarter as part of the Hereford City Centre Improvements (HCCI).
Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
Originally, a feasibility business case was
developed and approved in 2019
to continue the development of the HCCI project. This requested
funding
to broaden the extents of the HCCI project to include an area to
the south
west of High Town which includes Broad Street, King Street, Bridge
Street
and other smaller streets in the vicinity referred to as the
Cathedral and
River Wye Quarter (CRWQ).
- The vision being for the streets and spaces in CRWQ to be vibrant
and
active places where people want to spend time and businesses want
to be
based. The streets and spaces to be designed to amplify
Hereford’s unique
character, sense of place and its rich medieval history as capital
of the
Marches. The streets and spaces will be downgraded for vehicle use,
but
upgraded for all other activities; becoming a place where
pedestrians and
cyclists feel comfortable and where movement for them is
effortless,
enjoyable and safe. On a daily basis the Cathedral and River Wye
Quarter
would support businesses by providing the space and an
appropriate
environment for them to engage with the street, especially food and
drink
businesses with outdoor seating.
Procurement of professional services was required to develop the
outline
design for improvements to the CRWQ. Burroughs were appointed via
a
competitive open tender process. Their design would draw on
the
approach to the High Town area but reflect the distinct character
and
function of this area. That outline design was almost completed by
the
time the emerging Masterplan was revealed. Despite the masterplan
team
being integral and fully consulted in the design of CRWQ, now
some
significant changes are required to the current CRWQ outline
design.
The outline design process was suspended until the draft Masterplan
was
finalised and whilst Burroughs assessed the extent of the revisions
required
to the current outline design.
The cost associated with the revision of the design exceeds the 50%
uplift
permitted in CPR’s for variation of the Contract Price.
Accordingly
alternative routes to appointment have been investigated. There is
an
additional pressure to complete the detailed construction drawings
for this
scheme by March 2024 to satisfy funding conditions. This must be
achieved
to ensure that Marches LEP funding is retained. Discussions with
the
procurement team resulted in a decision to investigate the cost
benefit of
Burroughs being appointed to complete the revised outline design
and to
progress the detailed design phase. This is considered to be the
least risk to
losing LEP funding, also maintaining consistent design standards
and
principles.
Contact: Ross Cook, Corporate Director - Economy and Environment Email: ross.cook@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Publication date: 06/04/2023
Date of decision: 31/03/2023
Accompanying Documents: