Off-Site Construction of Housing Units Soft Market Assessment

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is an indication of potential future procurement activity and is subject to change. The PIN is not part of any pre-qualification or selection process and is not a commitment to procure anything.

Cornwall Council’s Housing Development Programme aims to deliver 500 new homes a year by 2020 to provide an affordable, secure alternative to those in the private rented sector, for those in housing need, and for those that want to stay within their local community. The Housing Development Programme will make use of land owned by the Council or other public sector partners, including regeneration and redevelopment sites.

Potential locations will be agreed with local communities, councils and Cornwall Council members who will be consulted as sites come forward. The aim is to provide housing that is supported by the community and for the community.

The Council has already identified two pilot sites, one in Bodmin and one in Tolvaddon, where it is proposed that between 50-100 homes will be constructed. While the Council will retain strong control over the design, construction quality and specification for the new homes, this soft market assessment will allow the Council to identify and better understand the market along with technological and innovative solutions relating to this area.

In addition this will allow the Council to gauge the level of market interest and readiness to achieve the level of delivery the Council requires. Completion of the soft market testing questionnaire provided to respondents and further contractor interactions in conjunction with on-going internal analysis will play a key role in helping to help shape the Council's vision for delivering the programme and determine the option to take forward for possible future procurement.

The Council would expect any option pursued to provide an effective, efficient and environmentally friendly method of delivering its objectives. The Council is interested in hearing from businesses and contractors involved in off-site construction that would be prepared to bring their operational and commercial expertise to assist Cornwall in achieving their Housing Development Programme ambitions.