As set out in the cabinet member decision, the creation of wetland areas will, in addition to improving the water quality of the River Lugg, positively contribute toward the delivery of the environmental and economic priorities within the County Plan 2020-2024; enhancing local biodiversity, enabling sustainable housing growth in the north of the county and reducing carbon emissions through carbon sequestration.

The benefits of wetlands in releasing prospective housing development currently unable to complete the planning process because of phosphate load will be of particular value in terms of the local construction economy and the delivery of established housing targets.

Following the technical site investigations, the detailed design and planning process and the acquisition of the land, construction of the wetland is the next critical stage necessary to deliver a phosphorous-reducing wetland site. Wetland construction is a specialist area and it is essential that the appointed contractor have the necessary expertise, resources and experience to deliver a wetland scheme which meets the intentions of the design proposal.

An open tender procurement process was conducted taking account of price and the capability of bidders. The contract award to JN Bentley Ltd is the result of that process.