Planning

WO2136 Central Depot - Melksham

WILTSHIRE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

15 Apr 2026 at 10:14

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Wiltshire Council is currently in the planning stage for the development of a Strategic Central Depot at Bowerhill, Melksham, aimed at modernising the Council’s operational estate by consolidating various services, including Highways and Waste operations, into one multifunctional site. The Council is holding a Soft Market Testing webinar on 23rd April 2026, seeking input from interested suppliers before formal procurement begins. This project, valued up to £30 million, targets completion by February 2029, offering construction opportunities in the South West of England in the construction industry category. The initiative focuses on sustainable development with a BREEAM 'Excellent' target, and prospective contractors should express interest by 22nd April 2026.

The tender invites opportunities for growth, particularly for construction firms with expertise in high-complexity, multi-functional facilities that incorporate sustainable practices such as low-carbon energy solutions. Businesses that have experience managing live operational environments would be well-suited to compete, given the ongoing public access requirements during construction. Companies capable of delivering projects under standard contracts (NEC, ICC, JCT) and navigating constraints like ecological considerations and radiological risks could significantly benefit. The opportunity promises substantial business growth, particularly for firms specialising in large-scale infrastructure projects and sustainable development.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

WO2136 Central Depot - Melksham

Notice Description

The development of a new Strategic Central Depot at Bowerhill, Melksham, forming part of a wider programme to rationalise and modernise the Council's operational estate. The depot will consolidate multiple existing facilities and services, including Highways, Waste, Streetscene and Fleet operations, into a single multi-functional site.

Planning Information

Wiltshire Council is progressing the development of a new Strategic Central Depot at Bowerhill, Melksham, forming part of a wider programme to rationalise and modernise the Council’s operational estate. The depot will consolidate multiple existing facilities and services, including Highways, Waste, Streetscene and Fleet operations, into a single multi-functional site The development is intending to be delivered on a live operational site, with existing Highways and Household Waste Recycling Centre functions to remain active throughout the design and construction phases. These operations include 24/7 highways response capability and daily public access to the HWRC, requiring careful planning, segregation and continuity of service at all times. The scheme is comprised of a complex mix of facilities, including operational yards, extensive vehicle stabling, maintenance workshops (supporting HGV and LGV fleets), office and welfare accommodation, HWRC infrastructure, fuelling and washdown facilities, and significant material storage areas. The site must support a wide range of vehicle types (up to 32t) and high operational areas, including public interface areas and future adaptability for fleet electrification. Several key constraints will influence design and delivery, including: • Live operational environment and phasing requirements • Site covenants restricting development in parts of the former golf course • Ground, ecological and drainage considerations, including biodiversity net gain • Identified radiological risk requiring further investigation and specialist input prior to intrusive works • Complex access arrangements and the need to segregate public, contractor and operational movements The development is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and aligns with Wiltshire Council’s net zero ambitions, requiring a fabric-first approach, low-carbon energy strategies (including air source heat pumps and photovoltaics), and infrastructure that supports future operational flexibility and resilience. Procurement options under consideration include both single-contractor and dual-contractor approaches (separating civils and building works), under standard forms of contract such as NEC, ICC and JCT. Wiltshire Council intends to hold a Soft Market Testing (SMT) engagement exercise webinar at 13:30 on the 23rd April 2026 on Microsoft Teams. This exercise is intended to inform the Council’s approach and does not constitute a call for competition. A formal procurement process will follow in due course. Any suppliers interested in attending should express an interest via email to CentralDepotProject@wiltshire.gov.uk and they will receive further information regarding the event details. Should you be interested in attending the event please express your interest by emailing names, roles, and contact details to the above-mentioned e-mail address by no later than 12:00 22nd April 2026 . Yours Faithfully Wiltshire Council

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0682b8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034085-2026
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

CPV Codes

45000000 - Construction work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£25,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
13 Jul 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 28 Feb 2029 2-3 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
WILTSHIRE 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
TROWBRIDGE
Postcode
BA14 8JN
Post Town
Bath
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK72 Wiltshire
Delivery Location
TLK15 Wiltshire
Local Authority
Wiltshire
Electoral Ward
Trowbridge Central
Westminster Constituency
South West Wiltshire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0682b8-2026-04-15T11:14:41+01:00",
    "date": "2026-04-15T11:14:41+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0682b8",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PDZR-9968-RYYY",
            "name": "Wiltshire Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PDZR-9968-RYYY"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Bythesea Road",
                "locality": "Trowbridge",
                "postalCode": "BA14 8JN",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKK15"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Gary Topley",
                "email": "gary.topley@wiltshire.gov.uk",
                "telephone": "+44 1225"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PDZR-9968-RYYY",
        "name": "Wiltshire Council"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Wiltshire Council is progressing the development of a new Strategic Central Depot at Bowerhill, Melksham, forming part of a wider programme to rationalise and modernise the Council's operational estate. The depot will consolidate multiple existing facilities and services, including Highways, Waste, Streetscene and Fleet operations, into a single multi-functional site The development is intending to be delivered on a live operational site, with existing Highways and Household Waste Recycling Centre functions to remain active throughout the design and construction phases. These operations include 24/7 highways response capability and daily public access to the HWRC, requiring careful planning, segregation and continuity of service at all times. The scheme is comprised of a complex mix of facilities, including operational yards, extensive vehicle stabling, maintenance workshops (supporting HGV and LGV fleets), office and welfare accommodation, HWRC infrastructure, fuelling and washdown facilities, and significant material storage areas. The site must support a wide range of vehicle types (up to 32t) and high operational areas, including public interface areas and future adaptability for fleet electrification. Several key constraints will influence design and delivery, including: * Live operational environment and phasing requirements * Site covenants restricting development in parts of the former golf course * Ground, ecological and drainage considerations, including biodiversity net gain * Identified radiological risk requiring further investigation and specialist input prior to intrusive works * Complex access arrangements and the need to segregate public, contractor and operational movements The development is targeting BREEAM 'Excellent' and aligns with Wiltshire Council's net zero ambitions, requiring a fabric-first approach, low-carbon energy strategies (including air source heat pumps and photovoltaics), and infrastructure that supports future operational flexibility and resilience. Procurement options under consideration include both single-contractor and dual-contractor approaches (separating civils and building works), under standard forms of contract such as NEC, ICC and JCT. Wiltshire Council intends to hold a Soft Market Testing (SMT) engagement exercise webinar at 13:30 on the 23rd April 2026 on Microsoft Teams. This exercise is intended to inform the Council's approach and does not constitute a call for competition. A formal procurement process will follow in due course. Any suppliers interested in attending should express an interest via email to CentralDepotProject@wiltshire.gov.uk and they will receive further information regarding the event details. Should you be interested in attending the event please express your interest by emailing names, roles, and contact details to the above-mentioned e-mail address by no later than 12:00 22nd April 2026 . Yours Faithfully Wiltshire Council",
                "dueDate": "2026-04-22T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "034085-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034085-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-15T11:14:41+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0682b8",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "WO2136 Central Depot - Melksham",
        "description": "The development of a new Strategic Central Depot at Bowerhill, Melksham, forming part of a wider programme to rationalise and modernise the Council's operational estate. The depot will consolidate multiple existing facilities and services, including Highways, Waste, Streetscene and Fleet operations, into a single multi-functional site.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "45000000",
                        "description": "Construction work"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKK15",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 30000000,
            "amount": 25000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "works",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2027-02-01T00:00:00+00:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-02-28T23:59:59+00:00"
                },
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-07-13T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}