Decision

To appoint BBA as the preferred architect to create a Building for a Healthy lives Checklist, required for the planning submission and Homes England Grant Submission for the proposed development at Ashton Street, Trowbridge and authorise the commitment of funds up to the amount specified

Reasons for the decision

Wiltshire Council is proceeding to develop of a scheme for 33 homes using Rollalong MMC units. The site in Ashton Street Trowbridge is going forward to a full planning application. As part of the planning submission and Homes England Grant Submission a Building for Healthy Lives Assessment will be required. The Building for Healthy Lives (BFHL) checklist is a national assessment tool, and Wiltshire Council is one of many authorities that recognises its importance.

BBA Architects already work on this project and can produce this checklist and would charge [redacted] per unit for the Building for a Healthy Life checklist. This is required for the planning submission and Homes England Grant Submission. The fee would be [redacted].

It is recommended that the quotation from BBA be appointed at a cost of [redacted] for Ashton Street [redacted] and this item is covered within the
budget for fees [redacted] for the project.

The consultant has been engaged to ensure they adhere to the Council’s standard terms and conditions for consultancy services.

This record of Officer Decision is required to authorise the signing of the Terms of Engagement, by Central Procurement Unit.

Reason for decision
The quotation received is within the project budget allowed for fee, and as outlined in the current Financial Viability Appraisal.

To provide affordable housing.

See attached document for considerations in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution.

Alternative options considered

It is expected to progress the planning application and Homes England Grant Application with a BFHL checklist. Therefore, failing to instruct the current architects in this matter would make it challenging to progress the scheme.