Content

It is recommended that the Assistant Director
of Housing approves a waiver of Contract Standing Order 9.01.1
(publication of an appropriate tender advertisement) as allowed
under Contract Standing Order 10.01.1.b) on the basis of Contract
Standing Order 10.01.2 (d)(ii) (Council’s overall interest);
and approves the implementation of Contract Standing Order 9.07.1c
and award a contract for an Architect to design the Mallard Place
project to RIBA Stage 2 for a fee of £159,000 (excluding
VAT).

Reasons for the decision

The direct award of Levitt Bernstein to RIBA
Stage 2 will ensure a timely delivery of design and development of
Mallard Place, to get planning drawings ready by June 2025 for a
planning submission in September/October 2025. Levitt Bernstein
have extensive knowledge of the project having already delivered a
substantial Feasibility Study of the proposed scheme.
Levitt Bernstein’s direct award and planned start in
designing the project in November 2024, will be crucial in helping
to achieve Haringey’s commitment to build 3000 Council homes
by 2031, with Levitt Bernstein’s initial feasibility
indicating that 155+ homes plus commercial space can be delivered
on the sites of Block D and Mallard Place. If the design is not
commenced within the next month or so there is a large risk that
Haringey will not be able to claim substantial grant funding (ie
£38.75m based on 155 homes) under the Affordable Homes
Programme 2021-2026, which will greatly affect the viability of
delivering the scheme.

Alternative options considered

The Council could decide not to procure these
services or direct award this contract to Levitt Bernstein. This
option is not recommended as it would impact the delivery
timescales of design and a future planning submission and award of
build contract by March 2026. If the March 2026 date is not
achieved, this would ultimately impact the Council’s Housing
Delivery programme aspirations of providing much-needed new Council
homes, with potentially 155 homes or more not delivered. Mallard
Place is also a substantial contributor to meeting the
Council’s funding obligations with the GLA, both grant spend
and delivery of homes.