Purpose

The Council manages a portfolio of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) sites which are being enhanced with the specific purpose of absorbing recreational pressure. This is in line with the Chiltern Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (CBSAC) Mitigation Strategy under the Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA). Bunkers Park and Chipperfield Common are designated SANG sites with management plans which were agreed and signed off by Dacorum Borough Council (DBC) and Natural England in November 2022.
The site management plans for these sites include the upgrade and installation of surfaced footpaths, known as Easy Access Routes (EAR). These improvements are integral to the delivery of the SANG management plan as they enable The Council to achieve the expected SANG criteria. The Council employed a consultant to complete the designs and specification for the pathways as well as act as Clerk of Works for the delivery. The Council undertook an open tender procurement procedure for the contract to deliver the installation and upgrade of the EAR Paths at Bunkers Park and Chipperfield Common. This process involved evaluating tender submissions based on quality and price criteria to establish which submission was the most advantageous tender.

Decision

The Council recommends that we should proceed with the most advantageous tender based on the evaluation and moderation meeting, which in this case came from Bidder C. This decision has been approved by Commercial Board on 18th June 2026.

Alternative options considered

Open tender process conducted to establish most advantageous tender based upon quality and price criteria.