--- title: "Lead Designer, Architect, Conservation Architect, CDM Principal Designer and Building Safety Act Principal Designer" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-0cfe0094-4290-42d0-97c3-dc9536ec19f2" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-0cfe0094-4290-42d0-97c3-dc9536ec19f2" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0cfe0094-4290-42d0-97c3-dc9536ec19f2.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0cfe0094-4290-42d0-97c3-dc9536ec19f2.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "Thetford Town Council" published: "2026-10-29" --- # Lead Designer, Architect, Conservation Architect, CDM Principal Designer and Building Safety Act Principal Designer Buyer: Thetford Town Council Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-0cfe0094-4290-42d0-97c3-dc9536ec19f2 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-0cfe0094-4290-42d0-97c3-dc9536ec19f2) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0cfe0094-4290-42d0-97c3-dc9536ec19f2.json) ## Summary Thetford Town Council is seeking one consultant practice to provide lead design, architectural and conservation architecture services, and act as Principal Designer under both the CDM Regulations and the Building Safety Act. The commission covers leading and coordinating design during the development phase and preparing the project design for a National Lottery Heritage Fund Delivery Phase application. The work concerns the conservation and redevelopment of a historic building in Thetford, including plans for accessible community facilities, heritage learning and interpretation, and improved environmental sustainability. The consultant will work with the project manager, quantity surveyor, structural engineer and specialist advisers to develop a robust, costed proposal. The council and its project manager will manage the funding application; the architect may also be asked to attend related meetings and workshops. Thetford Town Council invited offers through an open, below-threshold procedure. The procurement reached the tender stage, with offers sought for a single consultant practice. The submission deadline set by the buyer was 20 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The contract period was set to run from 14 December 2026 to 14 September 2027. The published tender gives no contract value. The project design is intended to support a National Lottery Heritage Fund Delivery Phase application, while the application itself is managed by the council’s client team and project manager. No award criteria or separate enquiry deadline are stated in the procurement details. The opportunity suits an SME consultancy able to bring architectural design, historic-building conservation and statutory design-safety roles together within one practice. Suppliers will need to lead and coordinate design and work collaboratively with project management, cost consultancy, structural engineering and specialist advisers to produce a fully costed project proposal. Experience developing designs for heritage conservation and public or community use would be relevant to the stated aims: protecting historic fabric, removing the building from the Heritage at Risk Register, and creating inclusive, accessible facilities for learning and community activity. The brief also calls for inclusive engagement with communities underserved by heritage, barrier-free access, responsible reuse and attention to carbon impact. Firms should be able to contribute to a financially sustainable operating model and town-centre regeneration. ## Notice Below is a summary please refer to the Job pack for detailed information Thetford Town Council is seeking to appoint a single consultant practice to undertake the roles of: * Lead Designer; * Architect; * Conservation Architect; * Principal Designer (CDM Regulations); * Principal Designer (Building Safety Act). The successful consultant shall lead and coordinate the design for the Development Phase and prepare the project design for submission of the NLHF Delivery Phase Application. The consultant will work closely with the Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor, Structural Engineer and specialist advisers to prepare a robust and fully costed proposal capable of supporting a successful National Lottery Heritage Fund Delivery Phase application. The NLHF Delivery Phase application will be managed by the Client Team and appointed Project Manager, however, the Architect may be required to attend NLHF meetings and workshops from time to time as reasonably requested by the Client or Project Manager. Equality, Inclusion & Environmental Sustainability The project is shaped by NLHF's investment principles and Thetford's identity as a richly diverse town. Commissioned work should demonstrate: * Inclusive engagement with communities underserved by heritage; * Barrier-free access to heritage learning and opportunities; * Environmentally responsible design, including re-use and carbon impact; * Contribution to a sustainable operating model rooted in community need. Project Objectives The project objectives are to: * Remove the building from the Heritage at Risk Register; * Secure the long-term conservation of the historic fabric; * Deliver inclusive and accessible community facilities; * Support learning, heritage interpretation and skills development; * Improve environmental sustainability; * Create a financially sustainable operational model and future for the site; * Support regeneration within Thetford town centre. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cbc8d975-376f-4c40-b602-3b8a9b2435cc | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 29 Oct 2026 | | Submission deadline | 20 Nov 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 14 Dec 2026 - 14 Sep 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | Thetford Town Council | | Locality | THETFORD | | Postcode area | Ipswich | | Postcode | IP24 2DS | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH5 Norfolk | | ITL 3 | TLH53 Breckland and South Norfolk | | Local authority | Breckland | | Electoral ward | Thetford Castle | | Westminster constituency | South West Norfolk | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services ### Codes - 71210000 - Advisory architectural services - 71221000 - Architectural services for buildings ## Release History - 29 Oct 2026 at 13:28 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cbc8d975-376f-4c40-b602-3b8a9b2435cc ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cbc8d975-376f-4c40-b602-3b8a9b2435cc 29th October 2026 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/5828f4d5-87ee-4a13-86d9-67a5bd1674b3 - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/9bb4faff-f263-4be2-b8b9-185d8e09ed3e ## Notice URLs - https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=942741141b724674f2ca8af6a1ddf5ae535b61b6b73fa9dd8dc9cfaedaaa8571JmltdHM9MTc5MzIzMjAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=0d4456f1-9f7b-63ed-189a-410b9efe6260&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhldGZvcmR0b3duY291bmNpbC5nb3YudWsv ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-0cfe0094-4290-42d0-97c3-dc9536ec19f2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0cfe0094-4290-42d0-97c3-dc9536ec19f2.json.