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 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.

Procurement of professional services is required to develop an outline design for improvements to the Cathedral and River Wye Quarter which will draw on the approach to the High Town area but will reflect the distinct character and function of this area. The package of streetscape and green infrastructure elements outlined for the project will also cover this area. Where feasible, these will be initially installed in the existing streets and will be subsequently be integrated into the improvements in this area.

Following the addition of the Cathedral & River Wye Quarter to the HCCI project, some early engagement with stakeholders was undertaken in late 2019 and early 2020. This engagement will continue as part of the development of the outline design. A public consultation will also be undertaken to inform the outline design.

It is anticipated that the development of the outline design will be completed by the middle of 2021.

The procurement will be undertaken directly by the council through an open market tendering process in accordance with the council’s procurement rules using the south west portal. An Invitation to Tender (ITT) has been developed in conjunction with corporate services with input from Democratic Services and Corporate Services. Corporate services will support the project team in executing the procurement process.