The Development Brief will serve two main functions:
a marketing tool that helps to sell the
opportunity to private sector developers; and
a factual document that sets out clearly the
ground rules for a development competition.
The Council and its consultant should be stated clearly.
The submission date should be set out up front.
The opportunity should be described in general terms.
Sometimes it is beneficial to set out a vision statement
or opportunity statement before the introduction.
The process to secure a partner should be described
briefly.
Disclaimers should be included:-
Reasonable care has been taken in the preparation
of this Brief. However, the accuracy of the
information is not guaranteed. Developers are
responsible for satisfying themselves that the
information, on which they rely when preparing
proposals, is correct.
The Client Team shall not be bound to accept any
bid put forward by any of the potential
developers.
This Brief shall not form part of any contract.
Development Context
This section should set out the objectives of the
Council, i.e., improve quality of life, create
employment, achieve high quality design, reflect the
areas integration into Central London etc.
It should also make reference to Government policies on
urban regeneration.
The local community groups and consultation structure
should be set out here.
The Canada Water area, its location, in the context of
Central London and Docklands, its substantial potential
on the Jubilee Line extension, etc., should all be set
out.
Travel times to key destinations and comparison of the
location to other parts of London, for example, it takes
a similar time to travel from Hammersmith to Green Park
as it does from Canada Water to Green Park, will help to
further set out the context.
Population figures with reference to the MORI Survey and
London School of Economics reports, pulling out key
issues that set the context.
The site area, neighbouring land uses, history of land
use on the site and in the area. Changing context of the
Rotherhithe Peninsula.
Access points in their different forms for cars,
pedestrians etc.
Planning & Transport
Planning Policy Overview should set out background to
current relevant policies, and the emerging spatial
development strategy.
It should also state clearly whether the area will need
supplementary planning guidance.
Relevant PPGs should be referred to, e.g., 3, 6, 13.
Specific policies should be set out, i.e., planning,
economic development, transport etc.
A brief synopsis of each topic paper could be included
here.
The context of national regeneration policy should also
be referred to and link to references in section 2 of the
Brief.
We will need to consider whether this section needs to
make detailed reference to transport issues or whether
this should be a section in its own right.
Clearly the area is significantly changed by the Jubilee
Line, and there are proposed improvements to the East
London Line.
Car and servicing access to the area is difficult and it
would be helpful to give positive messages on this point.
Clear reference will need to be made for pedestrian and
cycle access, disabled access and bus routes.
Design Guidelines & Sustainability
This section will need to set the tone for the type of
development required, i.e., it will need to deliver
economic development to secure higher living standards,
while protecting and enhancing the environment.
It will need to give clear messages, such as development
that meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’
The Government’s sustainable development strategy in
terms of social progress, protection of the environment,
prudent use of natural resources and maintaining high and
stable levels of economic growth and employment should be
set out.
Clearly state how sustainable development is important to
the Council and the key strategies that exist.
Refer to GLA objectives for London on sustainability.
Establish key messages for the design of the Canada Water
area that will need to be delivered by the preferred
developer partner.
Define what is meant by mixed use and the character of
the area that is sought. Also make it clear that the
project must deliver a part of urban fabric, not an
inward looking, insular, development, or series of
insular developments.
Site Ownership & Selection Procedure
Establish the area for comprehensive treatment and set
out the landowners that exist within the area.
Set out the process required by the bidders:-
A development Framework/Masterplan for the
comprehensive area.
A financial offer for the Council’s
landownership.
A strategy for working with the Council and the
landowners to deliver mixed use regeneration.
A strategy for embracing community consultation.
A strategy for sustainability and securing design
excellence.
A strategy for management of the development as it is
delivered and beyond.
Selection Procedure & Timetable
Set out date and time for submissions, together with
address and contact or reference.
Set out what each bidder should provide, e.g.:
written statement on the proposals;
Masterplan/Development Framework proposals;
written statement on sustainability;
employment potential and other economic benefits;
financial parameters and financial offer for
Council’s land;
details of the build up of the financial
assessment;
details of the source or sources of funding;
developer’s track record in similar
projects;
developer’s professional team.
Developers should be allowed to make more than one bid.
Number of copies of the proposal should be clear.
Timescale for the selection procedure should be set out
and adhered to . It should also give an indication of the
timescale from selection of the preferred partner to
agreement of Heads of Terms and signing of an exclusivity
agreement, to full contractual terms being agreed.
Appendices
These will need to be considered in detail, but could include:
Site and location plans
Aerial photographs
Topic papers
MORI survey
Previous work undertaken by Urban Initiatives
Services information
Topographical information
LUL underground routes information
Geotechnical information
Sustainability/design guide report
We are increasingly putting this type of information onto a CD
rather than preparing thick appendix documents. This helps with
the sustainability credentials.