--- title: "Wealden Heaths - Strategic Recreation Management Evaluation" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05e398" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05e398" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e398.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e398.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "NATURAL ENGLAND" published: "2026-01-07" --- # Wealden Heaths - Strategic Recreation Management Evaluation Buyer: NATURAL ENGLAND Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05e398 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05e398) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e398.json) ## Summary Natural England, a central government public authority based in London, has recently completed its procurement process for the "Wealden Heaths - Strategic Recreation Management Evaluation" project. This contract, valued at approximately £26,175 gross, was awarded to LEPUS CONSULTING LTD, a Cheltenham-based SME. The procurement process employed an open competition below the threshold, focusing on research and development consultancy services within the natural environment sector. The project aimed to assess recreation management approaches in Surrey's Wealden Heaths NNR and commenced on 5th January 2026, with an expected completion by 31st March 2026. The initiative included reviewing mitigation projects, funding models, and engaging strategies while addressing ecological risks to formulate a tailored biodiversity management strategy. This contract presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in ecological assessments, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement, primarily those with experience in research and development consultancy services. SMEs and other enterprises involved in environmental management can leverage this project to expand their portfolios and secure future collaborations with government bodies. The strategic insights gained through such projects can enhance a firm's credibility and provide a platform for influencing environmental policy frameworks, fostering long-term business growth in sustainable practices and consultancy realms. ## Notice Natural England seeks a supplier to deliver a high-level analysis of recreation management approaches from other UK and European sites to inform strategy for the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve (NNR), a 2,700-hectare lowland heath landscape under high visitor pressure, in Surrey. The work includes reviewing external mitigation projects and funding models, assessing ecological risks, exploring enforcement options, and summarising engagement strategies. The outcome will be a concise evidence-based report with practical recommendations for a locally adapted recreation and biodiversity management strategy. Suppliers should demonstrate expertise in ecological assessment, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000879-2026 | | 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, VCSE | | Awardee scale | SME | | All stages | Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 7 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | 8 Dec 2025 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 15 Dec 2025 | | Contract period | 5 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £25,000 | | Lots value | £25,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | £21,812 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NATURAL ENGLAND | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 4DF | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | LEPUS CONSULTING | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services ## Release History - 7 Jan 2026 at 08:36 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000879-2026 - 4 Dec 2025 at 19:33 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079948-2025 - 2 Dec 2025 at 10:01 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078758-2025 - 18 Nov 2025 at 15:49 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074892-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000879-2026 7th January 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079948-2025 4th December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078758-2025 2nd December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074892-2025 18th November 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8036 RFQ - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8037 Order Form - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8038 Commercial Response - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8627 Clarification to Bidders Questions - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8712 Clarification to Bidders Questions ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.lepusconsulting.com/ ## 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-h6vhtk-05e398. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e398.json.