WDC Polegate and Willingdon Medical Centre - Main Contractor (ESPH692)

Wealden District Council are seeking to appoint a suitable qualified and experienced main contractor for delivery of a new medical centre in Polegate and Willingdon to increase primary care infrastructure in the area. This is to be located at the new Hindsland residential development at Eastbourne Road, Lower Willingdon, BN20 9NU.

The proposed medical centre was proposed as part of the planning application for the wider Hindsland residential development to provide a new, state-of-the-art primary care centre which would enable two existing Polegate GP practices - Downlands and Manor Park - to co-locate. The proposed medical facility will consolidate the undersized and outdated Downlands and Manor Park GP practices into a new primary care facility.

The objective is to meet modern NHS standards for primary care provision, support the growing demand, both in terms of quality and volume, for medical services and enhance patient care by enabling increased capacity, accessibility and operational efficiency. The building will be approximately 2003m2 GIA and three storeys high, fully accessible, and offering a large car park for patients and staff along with ambulance bay and utility vehicles.

The centre will also be delivered to BREAAM excellent standard. Features will include low carbon materials, solar panels and air source heat pumps for hot water, heating and cooling.

Initially, the successful tenderer will be appointed under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA). This agreement will enable the contractor to work collaboratively with the client team during the pre-construction phase.

Subject to satisfactory performance under the PCSA and agreement on key terms (including price, programme, and risk allocation), the contractor may then be formally appointed under a construction contract to deliver the works. The form of contract will be JCT Design and Build 2016. A planned procurement notice has not been completed as the contracting authority does not wish to reduce the timescales of this tender.