Planning

Weyside Urban Village - Communication Consultant

GUILDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

13 May 2026 at 12:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Guildford Borough Council is in the planning stage of a public procurement process related to the Weyside Urban Village project, which involves significant brownfield regeneration in Guildford, UK. This initiative aims to transform a former industrial area into a sustainable community inclusive of housing, community, and employment spaces. The procurement is classified under the services category and is above the threshold, with businesses encouraged to express their interest by 27 May 2026. Guildford Borough Council serves as the master infrastructure developer and seeks to appoint a Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Consultant to ensure effective communication and community involvement throughout the project span. The contract is set to commence on 30 September 2026 and extend until 29 September 2029, with the potential for renewal, reinforcing the opportunity's longevity.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in construction consultancy and community services, particularly firms adept at stakeholder engagement and communications. SMEs are considered suitable for this opportunity, making it a viable option for smaller enterprises looking to expand in the public sector. Businesses capable of delivering strategic communication plans and community engagement strategies will find this contract beneficial for building their portfolios and establishing long-term relationships with municipal authorities. Given the scope and scale of the Weyside project, involved companies will not only gain visibility but also play a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for community and economic development in Guildford.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Weyside Urban Village - Communication Consultant

Notice Description

Weyside Urban Village ("WUV") is a major 41-hectare brownfield regeneration project that will transform a former utilities and industrial area on the eastern edge of Guildford into a sustainable new community. The Council anticipates that the development could deliver approximately 1,650 homes across a range of tenures, together with around 2,000 square metres of community space and 6,500 square metres of employment space. The Council's role in the delivery of Weyside is that of master infrastructure developer, taking direct responsibility for the upfront funding, planning, and delivery of the enabling and strategic infrastructure required to unlock land for subsequent housing, employment, and community development. This includes delivery of utilities, highways, flood mitigation, and site remediation works to prepare development plots for onward disposal and construction by delivery partners. Over the past 5 years, the Council has been progressing with construction of these enabling works including: * Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace - * Onsite Infrastructure * Offsite Infrastructure * New Thames Water Sewage Treatment Works * New GBC depot * Preparation of land parcels for housing delivery (Phases 1 and 3) The Council is looking to appoint a suitably qualified Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Consultant to lead engagement and communications activity for the Weyside Urban Village project, ensuring that stakeholders are kept informed and involved, and that there are clear opportunities to promote and showcase the outcomes of the programme and how its various elements fit together. Scope of services/ comms work plan The successful consultant shall carefully manage this commission ensuring any variations/ changes to scope are provided in writing from GBC to the consultant prior to implementation. The consultant will: 1. Review the project, the Council's objectives as owner and developer, and the previous planning history of the site. 2. Review the Council's engagement policies and in particular the Statement of Community Involvement. 3. In collaboration with the project team and for approval by GBC's project managers and internal communications team, design a stakeholder and community consultation plan in accordance with the Council's policies. Undertake the agreed stakeholder and community consultation and regularly advise the project team on the progress and outcomes on implementing that plan including responding to queries and managing communications relating to live construction activities where required. 4. At all times maintain close liaison with GBC's communications team. General outputs 1. Attend and participate in project team meetings. 2. Develop and manage an appropriate community engagement strategy for agreement with the project team. 3. Take lead in coordinating and preparing community engagement material. 4. Design, coordination and production of promotional material. Monitor and analyse feedback received. Provide regular summary updates on engagement activity, key issues and upcoming communications priorities. 5. Liaise with contractors and delivery partners to coordinate communications and ensure consistent messaging across the programme. Stakeholder engagement 1. Prepare and distribute quarterly physical and e-newsletters to residents and local businesses to update on progress of the development 2. Deliver targeted letter drops for residents to notify them of works. 3. Develop a "we said We could... we are doing..." messaging to cover all WUV related matters so that any perceived disconnected activities are understood to be part of a comprehensive package of improvements. 4. Market, coordinate and host public exhibitions and community drop-in events as required, including preparation of materials and summary reporting of attendance and feedback. 5. Quarterly newsletters/ email bulletins for Councillors and articles for staff newsletter. 6. Keep the Weyside Urban Village project website updated and current, including regular updates across key workstreams 7. Support briefing of newly elected Councillors following Shadow Authority elections to West Surrey unitary authority. 8. Support GBC Comms by leading, organising and publicising Ministerial visits, press briefings and ceremonial activity linked to the project. This will include capturing and responding to stakeholder feedback and ensuring key themes are communicated back into the project team where relevant. 9. Scheme promotion and media relations 10. Provide copy for GBC corporate publications, email bulletins etc. 11. Following GBC approval protocols Issue press release to property, planning and local government trade press to raise profile of the project. 12. Work with contractor to prepare joint press-releases as necessary. 13. Support the internal communications team in responding to press and social media enquiries

Planning Information

The Council is inviting interested organisations to express their interest in the proposed contract opportunity by email to the address provided within this notice. This Expression of Interest exercise is being undertaken to assist the Council in understanding the level of market interest, supplier capacity and the overall size and capability of the market. The information gathered will help inform the Council's procurement strategy and determine the most appropriate route to market for the future procurement process. This exercise is for information gathering purposes only and does not constitute a formal procurement process or selection stage. Participation in this Expression of Interest exercise will not advantage or disadvantage any organisation in any future procurement process related to this opportunity.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0697a6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043895-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

CPV Codes

71530000 - Construction consultancy services

75200000 - Provision of services to the community

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 May 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
27 May 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
29 Sep 2026 - 29 Sep 2029 3-4 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
GUILDFORD BOROUGH 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
GUILDFORD
Postcode
GU2 4BB
Post Town
Guildford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ25 West Surrey
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Guildford
Electoral Ward
St Nicolas
Westminster Constituency
Guildford

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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