---
title: "Meadows Phase 2B/ 2C Student Accommodation Project"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-0843dfe0-db38-4b4a-af85-0ef883874547"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-0843dfe0-db38-4b4a-af85-0ef883874547"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0843dfe0-db38-4b4a-af85-0ef883874547.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0843dfe0-db38-4b4a-af85-0ef883874547.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX"
published: "2021-09-02"
---

# Meadows Phase 2B/ 2C Student Accommodation Project

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-0843dfe0-db38-4b4a-af85-0ef883874547

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## Summary

The University of Essex is currently in the contract award stage for the Meadows Phase 2B/2C Student Accommodation Project, which involves the provision of 1,262 new student residential units. This project is situated at the University’s Colchester campus and has been awarded to the ULiving Consortium, who will operate the facilities through a special purpose vehicle for a period of approximately 50 years. The contract, valued at £98,000,000, began on 18th August 2021 and is set to run until 17th August 2071. The procurement was undertaken using a Voluntary ex Ante Transparency Notice due to existing restrictive covenants, and the relevant dates indicate that the tender period ended on 17th August 2021.

This procurement presents substantial business opportunities, particularly for companies that specialise in the design, construction, financing, and maintenance of student accommodation. Firms with experience in managing large-scale residential projects, particularly those that align with the requirements set by existing contracts, would be well-positioned to compete in similar future tenders. Businesses interested in expanding their operations in the higher education sector may find this type of project conducive to their growth strategies, especially within the regions influenced by the University’s ongoing need for student accommodation.

## Notice

In 2012, the University sought partners to establish a long term partnership to facilitate the design, build, finance and maintenance of 648 new bedrooms of student accommodation within the University of Essex Knowledge Gateway site ready for the start of the 2013/2014 academic year, together with the potential leasehold sale of an established residential development comprising 767 bedrooms (the "Phase 1" project). ULiving Consortium were identified as the successful tenderer, and subsequently entered into the contract (via a special purpose vehicle called ULiving@Essex Limited) to provide the required services with the University. In line with market norms, the Phase 1 project documentation contained a Restrictive Covenant which restricted the University's ability to provide additional student accommodation unless certain student to bed ratio and occupancy track record tests were met. Contracts relating to a second phase of residences ("Phase 2A") were entered into with the ULiving Consortium (via a special purpose vehicle called ULiving@Essex2 Limited) pursuant to a Voluntary ex Ante Transparency Notice (published 23 May 2015), delivering 643 bedrooms (on a design, build, finance and maintenance basis) adjacent to Phase 1. The VEAT Notice was used as the contractual Restrictive Covenant tests on Phase 1 had not been satisfied. Again, in line with market norms, the Phase 2A project documentation contained a Restrictive Covenant which restricted the University's ability to provide additional student accommodation unless certain student to bed ratio and occupancy track record tests were met. The tests for Phase 1 and Phase 2A are set out in VI.3. Phase 2B/2C is the third phase of the residences development and the University wishes to contract for the provision of a further 1,262 units of student residential accommodation on a design, build, finance and operate basis. The ULiving Consortium will (through the use of a special purpose vehicle called ULiving@Essex3 LLP) operate the residences for c 50 years following completion of construction. The sites are located at the University's Colchester Campus. Planning documentation providing further detail can be found here - https://www.colchester.gov.uk/planning-app-details/?id=e2fc087d-84bee911- a976-000d3ab42b3b#ValidationSummaryEntityFormView. The Restrictive Covenant tests under the Phase 1 and Phase 2A documentation have not been satisfied at the time of publication of this notice, meaning that the ULiving Consortium has exclusive rights to deliver Phases 2B and 2C at present and for at least the next 3 years (September 2024 being the earliest point at which the tests can now be met) as the ULiving Consortium (via ULiving@Essex Limited and ULiving@Essex2 Limited) will only consent to the development taking place if the ULiving Consortium (via ULiving@Essex3 LLP) also delivers Phases 2B and 2C. Additional information: The Contractor is the only economic operator which can deliver the development due to the existence of exclusive rights owned by it in connection with the services required (pursuant to Regulation 32(2)(b)(iii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015). In 2012, the University sought partners to design, build, finance and maintain 648 new student bedrooms, together with the potential leasehold sale of an established development comprising 767 bedrooms ("Phase 1"). ULiving Consortium were identified as the successful tenderer, and subsequently entered into contract (via a special purpose vehicle called ULiving@Essex Limited) with the University to deliver Phase 1. In line with market norms, the Phase 1 documentation contained a Restrictive Covenant which restricted the University's ability to provide additional student accommodation unless certain tests were met. Contracts relating to the development of additional student residences ("Phase 2A") were entered into with the ULiving Consortium (via ULiving@Essex2 Limited) pursuant to a Voluntary ex Ante Transparency Notice (published 23 May 2015), delivering 643 bedrooms (on a design, build, finance and maintenance basis) adjacent to Phase 1. The VEAT Notice was used as the Restrictive Covenant tests on Phase 1 were not satisfied. In line with market norms, the Phase 2A documentation contained a Restrictive Covenant which restricted the University's ability to provide additional student accommodation unless certain tests were met. The University wishes to contract for the provision of a further 1,262 units of student residential accommodation on a design, build, finance and operate basis. The Restrictive Covenants on Phases 1 and 2A prevent the University from carrying out the development without the consent of companies related to the Contractor unless certain tests are satisfied. The tests are: (a) for each of the previous three (3) consecutive Contract Years the ratio of Total Student Demand to Total Bed Supply has not fallen below 1.5:1.00; (b) the number of proposed further rooms is such that when occupied the ratio of Total Student Demand to Total Bed Supply will not fall below 1.5:1.00 for the following three (3) Contract Years assessed on the basis of the University's projected student number returns to HEFCE (now HESA); (c) for each of the previous three (3) consecutive Contract Years at least ninety eight per cent (98%) of the Rooms within the Accommodation have been occupied for the whole of the relevant Letting Period. Test (a) was not met for the Contract Years 2017/18 and 2018/19 and test (c) has not been satisfied. This is the case for both Phases 1 and 2A. The companies related to the Contractor (such related companies being ULiving@EssexLimited and ULiving@Essex2 Limited) will only consent to the development taking place if it is carried out by the Contractor (via ULiving@Essex3 LLP). The Contractor therefore has exclusi

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3bdb82ba-3755-4a74-b7d3-a07dc90df08c |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Other - VEAT Notice 2021/S 000-011469 issued due to restrictive covenant |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 2 Sep 2021 |
| Submission deadline | 17 Aug 2021 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 16 Aug 2021 |
| Contract period | 17 Aug 2021 - 17 Aug 2071 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £98,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £98,000,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX |
| Locality | COLCHESTER |
| Post town | Colchester |
| Postcode | CO4 3SQ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH3 Essex |
| ITL 3 | TLH34 Essex Haven Gateway |
| Local authority | Colchester |
| Electoral ward | Wivenhoe |
| Westminster constituency | Harwich and North Essex |
| Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ULIVING CONSORTIUM (ACTING VIA ULIVING@ESSEX3 |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 79993000 - Building and facilities management services

## Release History

- 2 Sep 2021 at 15:18 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3bdb82ba-3755-4a74-b7d3-a07dc90df08c

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3bdb82ba-3755-4a74-b7d3-a07dc90df08c
  2nd September 2021 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

- https://www.colchester.gov.uk/planning-app-details/?id=e2fc087d-84bee911-

## Provenance

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