New-build site bidding process improved

English Partnerships has today announced plans to make it quicker and easier for developers to bid for new-build sites.

The national regeneration agency hopes to develop a new pre-qualification scheme under EU law to allow developers to supply pre-qualification information on a one-off basis, rather than site by site.

While individual site opportunities will continue to be advertised openly, developers accepted into the scheme will be able to 'short-circuit' the current process by submitting reduced levels of information when bidding for English Partnerships’ sites.

"This move is a rationalisation of the way we do business, making our procurement process swifter and more cost effective. More importantly, it will speed up our decision making process by significantly reducing the administrative burden for both us and for housebuilders," said John Walker, Chief Executive of English Partnerships.

"In today’s difficult economic climate, we need to work even more closely with our development partners to ensure the government’s housing targets are met, without compromising on quality."

The new system is expected to be in place for sites marketed from October this year.

To join the scheme developers could be asked to submit information on financial standing, diversity, environmental sustainability and legal status.

They will also need to demonstrate how they intend to meet English Partnerships’ Quality Standards and to outline their approach to planning and explain partnering arrangements.

The pre-qualification scheme should allow developers to bid for sites without having to resubmit the information previously provided.

The consultation process will last until July, when it is expected the implementation of the change will begin.

Chris O'Toole