Planning

Procurement of a master developer partner for the delivery of the Smedley's Hydro regeneration project.

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

04 Mar 2026 at 15:19

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

02 Mar 2026 at 14:46

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Derbyshire County Council is preparing for the procurement of a master developer partner for the Smedley's Hydro regeneration project. With planning currently underway, the project involves converting the South Block of Matlock County Hall into a hotel with leisure facilities, delivering a flexible office building, and developing residential properties. The Council aims to enhance the town's economic impact while retaining heritage assets. The tender process, in the planning stage, anticipates a start in January 2027, culminating in December 2037, with planning consents sought by May 2026. Situated in Matlock, UKF1, this construction and real estate initiative possesses a gross estimated value of £160 million, thereby classifying it as above threshold with significant implications for the construction, architectural, and real estate industries.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses in construction, engineering, and real estate services, particularly those equipped for large-scale redevelopment projects. The regeneration scheme is an ideal fit for companies with experience in converting historic buildings into modern facilities, as well as for firms specialising in residential and office developments. By partnering on this transformative project, businesses could potentially solidify their market presence regionally while contributing to the revitalisation of Matlock's local economy through tourism and new living spaces. Derbyshire County Council seeks a single developer to oversee all elements, requiring strategic oversight alongside potential collaboration with sub-contractors, offering a comprehensive scope for business expansion.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Procurement of a master developer partner for the delivery of the Smedley's Hydro regeneration project.

Notice Description

The Council is intending to undertake a procurement to find a development partner for the redevelopment of County Hall and the associated grounds, prior to the Council's occupation known as Smedley's Hydropathic Establishment. The project proposes the conversion of the c.16,750sqm listed South Block of the current Matlock County Hall into a flagship hotel, with events, conference and leisure facilities. The project also includes delivery of a new cost effective, flexible office building, along with a refurbished space in the Co-op Building on Smedley Street for the Council to occupy in order to retain a presence on site. The project will be further supported by delivery of new build enabling residential development and conversion of the c 5,400sqm North Block of County Hall for residential properties, and the South Block will likely be used for the provision of co-working space for the small business and creative sectors. Applications for outline planning and listed building consents, currently programmed for determination in May 2026, envisage delivery of up to 100 hotel beds, up to 5,000sqm new civic office building, up to 90 new homes, plus workspace and events/leisure space. The project aims to deliver major economic impact on the town of Matlock and beyond, secure the ongoing presence for the Council, restoration and maximising the value of heritage assets, and a significant boost to the local tourism and visitor economy. The Council propose to form a master development partnership with a single developer who will have responsibility for the delivery of the whole project. That partner may deliver all aspects of the project directly or introduce sub-developers and sub-contractors to deliver some parts, though retaining overall strategic oversight of the whole. It should be noted that the 'total value (estimated)' stated below in this notice is the estimated construction value of the site including the development of the co-working space which will be retained by the Council.

Planning Information

Between August 2025 and January 2026, the Council's advisers, Montagu Evans, undertook a market engagement exercise. The advisers engaged with suppliers to understand the level of interest in the development of the current Council site, alongside identifying suppliers able to meet the requirements of the contracting authority. The engagement exercise also sought suppliers' views on appropriate approaches to structuring the project contractually, commercially and in terms of procurement. A report setting out the approach to and outputs of the preliminary market engagement is available, please email Stuart.Etchells@derbyshire.gov.uk The Council's advisors took steps to ensure that suppliers involved in the exercise are not put at an unfair advantage in any competition in relation to a contract award to be carried out. Steps will continue to be taken in this regard. This PME notice is not a call for competition. It is the Council's intention to publish a tender notice on or about March 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065fd9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019588-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

70 - Real estate services

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

45000000 - Construction work

70000000 - Real estate services

71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£138,400,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2037 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DERBYSHIRE COUNTY 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
MATLOCK
Postcode
DE4 3AG
Post Town
Derby
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF13 South and West Derbyshire
Delivery Location
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Local Authority
Derbyshire Dales
Electoral Ward
Matlock West
Westminster Constituency
Derbyshire Dales

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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