Framework delivers affordable housing

An important milestone has been reached in the delivery of affordable housing for Dorset.

Southern Construction Framework (SCF), a leading construction procurement framework delivered by the public sector for the public sector, has paved the way for its first project under the £5.16Bn Residential Delivery & Development Framework.

SCF is working with Poole Housing Partnership (PHP) and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) to support the local authority deliver a much-needed affordable housing development.

The project will see 110 homes delivered on the South coast thanks to SCF and BCP working together on the procurement process through the new framework.

Matthew Elliott, SCF Senior Framework Manager, said: “We are delighted with the progress on a particularly important residential development which is testament to the efficiency of our new Residential Delivery & Development Framework.

“The overall goal of SCF is to use our expertise to support public bodies by ensuring development processes are as smooth, efficient and cost-effective as possible. It is a great reflection on SCF and BCP that this procurement process is proving to be so swift.

“It’s also an important milestone because it’s the first residential project to move through our new residential framework.”

Councillor Philip Broadhead, BCP Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Development, Growth and Regeneration, said: “Using the SCF for this housing development has great benefits for the council. It provides the confidence of the selection of a construction contractor from market-leading tier one contractors who have the capacity, capability and experience of designing and constructing this high-profile development.

“It puts us at an advantageous position, whereby the contractor is able to mobilise quickly, has the buying and negotiation powers at a national level, enabling us to be able to deliver on our priority to provide much-needed affordable housing as efficiently as possible.”

SCF Residential is a construction framework delivered by the public sector which offers procurement support for public sector residential construction and development across London, the South East and South West England.

SCF Residential is modelled on ‘Two Stage Open book’ procurement, a Government recommended bidding process based on early engagement and collaborative working with contractor partners, to drive best value and high standards.

The framework provides public sector organisations with access to a full range of residential construction and development solutions. This includes leading local housebuilders, traditional contract or design and build, and turnkey end-to-end development, construction, and management services.

Matthew added: “SCF prides itself on ensuring a pipeline of work that begins quickly when a new framework is released and we are really pleased this has been the case for all three of our current frameworks.

“There is a real professionalism and determination to get things done but this project confirms our residential framework is working well.

“We have hit the ground running and ensured BCP have access to a fantastic breadth of experience and expertise ideally tuned to the needs of the current housing market.

“We have built this framework around our ethos and practice of collaboration, transparency and added value, with a focus on social value and supporting carbon and environmental impacts.”

Created to support public sector residential construction and development in the region, SCF Residential is a four-year framework available to all public bodies in the South East, London, and South West.

As well as supporting the new residential project, BCP has also worked with SCF to deliver the soon-to-be-completed £8.5M Hillbourne school through its construction and consult frameworks which also provide access to appropriate contractors and consultants.

SCF are inviting other public sector bodies to take advantage of the framework that has been set up to support the development process.

For more information on the SCF Residential Framework click here.

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