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Local Plan Consultancy

Ashford Borough Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

19 Aug 2026 at 16:12

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Tender

08 Jun 2026 at 14:16

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Ashford Borough Council procured consultancy services to prepare a Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment for the emerging Ashford Local Plan 2043. The work covers assessment in accordance with legislation, national policy, relevant national guidance and best practice, supporting the preparation of the council’s long-term local plan. This is specialist planning and environmental consultancy rather than construction or general administrative support. The requirement was classified as business and management consultancy and related services. Delivery is associated with Ashford and the surrounding area covered by the council’s local plan. The buyer is Ashford Borough Council, a sub-central public authority. The procurement was structured as one lot and was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The procurement has completed: AECOM Ltd was awarded the contract, and the contract was signed on 19 August 2026. The award was made through a below-threshold open competition. The tender deadline was 3 July 2026 at 10:00. The estimated value was £60,000 excluding VAT (£72,000 including VAT). The signed contract value is £54,300 excluding VAT (£65,160 including VAT). The contract period runs from 20 August 2026 to 18 August 2028. Evaluation weighted quality at 70%, price at 20% and interview performance at 10%. Electronic tender submission was allowed through the Delta eSourcing portal. The award is active and the contract is active, for the single lot covering the full Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment requirement.

This procurement indicates demand from Ashford Borough Council for consultants able to assess the environmental and sustainability effects of a local plan over a long planning horizon. A credible competitor would need proven experience delivering Sustainability Appraisals and Strategic Environmental Assessments for emerging local plans, with the ability to interpret and apply legislation, national planning policy, official guidance and recognised good practice. Relevant teams would combine environmental assessment, spatial planning, evidence review, report writing and engagement with a local authority’s plan-making process. The evaluation shows that technical quality was substantially more important than price, while interview performance also contributed to the decision. Smaller consultancies may be well placed to compete, provided they can demonstrate suitably qualified and experienced staff and deliver the complete assessment requirement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Local Plan Consultancy

Notice Description

ABC is looking to procure a suitably qualified and experienced consultant to prepare a Sustainability Appraisal / Strategic Environmental Assessment (SA/SEA) for the emerging Ashford Local Plan 2043 in accordance with legislation, national policy, relevant national guidance and best practice.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06afd8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079160-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£60,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£60,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£54,300 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
3 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
20 Aug 2026 - 18 Aug 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ashford 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
ASHFORD
Postcode
TN23 1HU
Postcode Area
Tonbridge
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent
Local Authority
Ashford
Electoral Ward
Victoria
Westminster Constituency
Ashford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

AECOM

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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