Council a Step Closer to Selecting Developer for Key Bexleyheath Site
Today the London Borough of Bexley announced the short list of developers who will be invited to submit detailed design solutions for the site of the current Bexley Civic Offices.
"The redevelopment of this site is a significant part of the Bexley
First programme that will enable us to deliver improved services and a reduction
of Council costs," the Leader of the Council, Councillor
Teresa O’Neill said.
The successful bidders are:
-
J Sainsbury’s Ltd and Land Securities Trillium (The J Sainsbury’s
Consortium)
-
John Laing
- Tesco PLC through
its subsidiary Spenhill Regeneration Ltd and St James's Investments
- The Mall Fund
"The Council has received some strong and innovative responses to its invitation for proposals to redevelop the Bexleyheath site.
"Local residents will have the opportunity to review and comment on detailed design schemes at a public exhibition early in the new year," explained Councillor Teresa O’Neill.
"The potential to enhance the vitality and viability of Bexleyheath town centre is one of the criteria submissions will be evaluated against. Importantly all designs must observe the Council’s planning rules," Cllr O’Neill said.
Evaluating the commercial viability of submissions will include looking at the level of compliance with the London Borough of Bexley’s Unitary Development plan, its Civic Centre Planning Brief and other planning guidance.
"The Council is confident that the Bexley First programme is viable and will deliver significant value to the community," said Councillor Colin Campbell, the Cabinet member for Finance & Corporate Services today.
"As well as progressing the redevelopment of the Bexleyheath site, the Council is working hard to introduce new ways of delivering Council services to local residents.
"We are investing in new technology and adopting flexible working practices that will improve customer access to services and increase efficiency. These initiatives will increase time spent in the community and enable Council officers to visit vulnerable residents or to deliver services where they are most needed," Cllr Campbell said.
Changes to how the Council delivers services will be put in place progressively over the next few years and will culminate with residents being able to access services from the new civic building.
The proposed new civic reception area, at Bexleyheath, will improve residents’ face-to-face contact, through one stop access to a wide range of Council services.
Access to Council services will also be improved by using the network of Council Libraries to provide residents with convenient local contact points.
"Bringing most of the Council staff together in the new civic building and investing in new technology will make us more efficient and deliver real value for money," said Councillor Campbell.
Residents can visit the Council’s website at www.bexley.gov.uk to view information on the Bexley First programme.
