Issue details
Procurement of professional services to undertake the revised outline urban design, consultation and detailed urban design for the Cathedral and River Wye Quarter as part of the Hereford City Centre Improvements (HCCI).
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 and Burroughs (working
in partnership with The Urbanists) were appointed via an open
competitive tender. This 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, some
significant changes are now required to the current CRWQ outline
design.
The outline design process was suspended until the draft Masterplan
was finalised and whilst The Urbanists assessed the extent of the
revisions required to the current outline design.
The cost associated with the revision of the design exceeds the
permitted 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
£3m Marches LEP funding is retained.
Discussions with the HC procurement team resulted in a decision to
investigate the cost benefit of The Urbanists being appointed to
complete the revised outline urban design and to progress the
detailed design phase. This considered to be the least risk to
losing LEP funding, also maintaining consistent design standards
and principles.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 06/04/2023
Decision due: 31 March 2023 by Corporate Director – Economy & Environment
Contact: Ross Cook, Corporate Director - Economy and Environment Email: ross.cook@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Decisions