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Lead Designer, Architect, Conservation Architect, CDM Principal Designer and Building Safety Act Principal Designer

Thetford Town Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

29 Oct 2026 at 13:28

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Thetford Town Council is seeking one consultant practice to provide lead design, architectural and conservation architecture services, and act as Principal Designer under both the CDM Regulations and the Building Safety Act. The commission covers leading and coordinating design during the development phase and preparing the project design for a National Lottery Heritage Fund Delivery Phase application. The work concerns the conservation and redevelopment of a historic building in Thetford, including plans for accessible community facilities, heritage learning and interpretation, and improved environmental sustainability. The consultant will work with the project manager, quantity surveyor, structural engineer and specialist advisers to develop a robust, costed proposal. The council and its project manager will manage the funding application; the architect may also be asked to attend related meetings and workshops.

Thetford Town Council invited offers through an open, below-threshold procedure. The procurement reached the tender stage, with offers sought for a single consultant practice. The submission deadline set by the buyer was 20 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The contract period was set to run from 14 December 2026 to 14 September 2027. The published tender gives no contract value. The project design is intended to support a National Lottery Heritage Fund Delivery Phase application, while the application itself is managed by the council’s client team and project manager. No award criteria or separate enquiry deadline are stated in the procurement details.

The opportunity suits an SME consultancy able to bring architectural design, historic-building conservation and statutory design-safety roles together within one practice. Suppliers will need to lead and coordinate design and work collaboratively with project management, cost consultancy, structural engineering and specialist advisers to produce a fully costed project proposal. Experience developing designs for heritage conservation and public or community use would be relevant to the stated aims: protecting historic fabric, removing the building from the Heritage at Risk Register, and creating inclusive, accessible facilities for learning and community activity. The brief also calls for inclusive engagement with communities underserved by heritage, barrier-free access, responsible reuse and attention to carbon impact. Firms should be able to contribute to a financially sustainable operating model and town-centre regeneration.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Lead Designer, Architect, Conservation Architect, CDM Principal Designer and Building Safety Act Principal Designer

Notice Description

Below is a summary please refer to the Job pack for detailed information Thetford Town Council is seeking to appoint a single consultant practice to undertake the roles of: * Lead Designer; * Architect; * Conservation Architect; * Principal Designer (CDM Regulations); * Principal Designer (Building Safety Act). The successful consultant shall lead and coordinate the design for the Development Phase and prepare the project design for submission of the NLHF Delivery Phase Application. The consultant will work closely with the Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor, Structural Engineer and specialist advisers to prepare a robust and fully costed proposal capable of supporting a successful National Lottery Heritage Fund Delivery Phase application. The NLHF Delivery Phase application will be managed by the Client Team and appointed Project Manager, however, the Architect may be required to attend NLHF meetings and workshops from time to time as reasonably requested by the Client or Project Manager. Equality, Inclusion & Environmental Sustainability The project is shaped by NLHF's investment principles and Thetford's identity as a richly diverse town. Commissioned work should demonstrate: * Inclusive engagement with communities underserved by heritage; * Barrier-free access to heritage learning and opportunities; * Environmentally responsible design, including re-use and carbon impact; * Contribution to a sustainable operating model rooted in community need. Project Objectives The project objectives are to: * Remove the building from the Heritage at Risk Register; * Secure the long-term conservation of the historic fabric; * Deliver inclusive and accessible community facilities; * Support learning, heritage interpretation and skills development; * Improve environmental sustainability; * Create a financially sustainable operational model and future for the site; * Support regeneration within Thetford town centre.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-0cfe0094-4290-42d0-97c3-dc9536ec19f2
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cbc8d975-376f-4c40-b602-3b8a9b2435cc
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (below threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71210000 - Advisory architectural services

71221000 - Architectural services for buildings

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Oct 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
20 Nov 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
14 Dec 2026 - 14 Sep 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Thetford Town Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
THETFORD
Postcode
IP24 2DS
Postcode Area
Ipswich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH5 Norfolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH53 Breckland and South Norfolk
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Breckland
Electoral Ward
Thetford Castle
Westminster Constituency
South West Norfolk

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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