Homes England is seeking development partners for two mixed-use schemes in Sheffield valued at a combined £290m.
The government agency yesterday (6 November) published an official procurement notice for the Furnace Hill and Neepsend projects in the South Yorkshire city.
It expects to shortlist three firms for each development before selecting winners. One company could win both schemes.
Homes England said Furnace Hill, a 2.6ha site near Hoyle Street to the north of Sheffield, could become 825 homes and up to 1,900 square metres of other facilities.
This project could also include a “landmark tall building of exceptional quality” according to the body, as well as a repurposed Don Cutlery Works.
Furnace Hill has an indicative gross development value of £165m, according to the procurement notice.
Meanwhile the 2.5ha Neepsend plot, just north of the city’s A61 ring road, is earmarked for 480 homes, 2,000 square metres of other space and a transformed Cornish Works which is a collection of listed buildings.
Homes England said this scheme was valued at £125m.
Development partners for the projects needed the “financial means and relevant experience, skills and resources” to take forward these “strategically important catalyst sites”, said the body.
Duties will include preparing a masterplan and further designs; drawing up and submitting planning applications; securing investment; and procuring and managing contractors.
Chosen partners will also have to co-ordinate the marketing and sales processes for the developments, along with operational and letting arrangements where appropriate.
Bids will be assessed primarily on quality, with price counting for 30 per cent of the calculation.
Interested parties have until 9 December to register their interest. Shortlisted firms are expected to be given invitations to tender in January.
Homes England has prepared a development framework with Sheffield City Council to guide the delivery of each site.
The duo also established a vision “to transform Furnace Hill and Neepsend into two distinct and vibrant urban neighbourhoods, capitalising upon their historic and natural assets to create a varied townscape, with a network of new public spaces and streets to improve legibility and connections between the city centre and Kelham Island”.
