Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

C000949SNA Irish Street Development Scheme

Department for Communities

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

21 Aug 2026 at 14:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Communities, working with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, is seeking a development proposal for the Irish Street Development Scheme in Downpatrick town centre, adjacent to the primary retail core. The project aims to deliver a high-quality, commercially led, mixed-use scheme supporting sustainable urban regeneration. The appointed developer is expected to design, build, own and operate the redevelopment under a development agreement with the Department for Communities. The work covers site preparation, building construction, multi-dwelling buildings and houses, leisure facilities, architectural design and construction project management. The site is partly within Downpatrick Centre Conservation Area and entirely within an area of significant archaeological potential. Delivery is in Northern Ireland.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is currently seeking preliminary market feedback on the proposed procurement strategy, rather than inviting tenders. The buyer expects to publish a subsequent notice on 30 September 2026. Market engagement feedback and indications of interest are requested by 17 September 2026 through the eTenders NI questionnaire. The anticipated contract period is from 1 December 2027 to 1 December 2034, with a possible extension to 1 December 2036. The estimated value is £13,235,000 excluding VAT, or £15,885,000 including VAT. There is one planned lot, identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. A development agreement under licence is expected, with the developer responsible for securing planning permission and delivering the construction works.

This will suit developers able to take overall responsibility for a mixed-use regeneration project, including design, planning, finance, construction, ownership and operation. The buyer is looking for innovative, high-quality design, professional expertise and financing capability, alongside the capacity to manage delivery in compliance with the development scope, statutory regulations and other legal requirements. Competitors should be prepared to secure full planning permission and satisfy statutory bodies, while addressing the constraints of a conservation area and significant archaeological potential. Construction capability should cover site preparation, buildings, housing and leisure facilities, supported by architectural and project management expertise. The planned lot is identified as suitable for SMEs, although the developer model requires an organisation or consortium able to sustain responsibility across the project lifecycle.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

C000949SNA Irish Street Development Scheme

Notice Description

The Department for Communities (DfC) in conjunction with Newry Mourne & Down District Council (NMDDC) are seeking a development proposal for this site known as "Irish Street Development Scheme". The site is located within Downpatrick Town Centre, as defined within the Ards and North Down Area Plan and sits adjacent to the Primary Retail Core. The east end of the site falls within Downpatrick Centre Conservation Area, and the complete site lies within an area of Significant Archaeological Potential. The overall objective of this Procurement is to attract high quality development proposals that meet both DfC & NMDDC joint objectives for a high quality multi use scheme that is commercially led and provides sustainable urban regeneration. The Authority recognises the contribution that Developers' can make to urban regeneration in terms of innovative high-quality design, professional expertise and financing. It is anticipated the appointed Developer will design, build, own and operate this Redevelopment Scheme. The successful developer will enter into a Development Agreement under Licence with DfC to deliver this project. This Agreement will set out the contractual framework governing the development, including obligations, conditions, and procedural requirements. The Developer will be responsible for all design work required to secure full planning permission and satisfy requirements of all other statutory bodies. The Developer will be responsible for all aspects of the construction of the works, in full compliance with the Development Scope, all relevant statutory regulations, and relevant legislation.

Planning Information

The Department for Communities (DfC) invites preliminary market feedback on the proposed procurement strategy for the appointment of a developer for this flagship regeneration project. This engagement is to inform the market of the upcoming opportunity, provide an indication of interest in the opportunity and gain feedback in relation to the opportunity and the proposed procurement procedure Please register with eTenders NI at https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps/getHomeDashboard.do and use CFT ID No 6692698 to view documents and return the questionnaire provided.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e9b4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079966-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

45100000 - Site preparation work

45210000 - Building construction work

45211000 - Construction work for multi-dwelling buildings and individual houses

45212100 - Construction work of leisure facilities

71220000 - Architectural design services

71541000 - Construction project management services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£13,235,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Aug 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Sep 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2027 - 1 Dec 2034 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
Department for Communities
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
OMAGH
Postcode
BT79 7BB
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN0G Fermanagh and Omagh
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Fermanagh and Omagh
Electoral Ward
Strule
Westminster Constituency
West Tyrone

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...