--- title: "WO2136 Central Depot - Melksham" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0682b8" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0682b8" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0682b8.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0682b8.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "WILTSHIRE COUNCIL" published: "2026-04-15" --- # WO2136 Central Depot - Melksham Buyer: WILTSHIRE COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0682b8 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0682b8) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0682b8.json) ## Summary Wiltshire Council is currently in the planning stage for the development of a Strategic Central Depot at Bowerhill, Melksham, aimed at modernising the Council’s operational estate by consolidating various services, including Highways and Waste operations, into one multifunctional site. The Council is holding a Soft Market Testing webinar on 23rd April 2026, seeking input from interested suppliers before formal procurement begins. This project, valued up to £30 million, targets completion by February 2029, offering construction opportunities in the South West of England in the construction industry category. The initiative focuses on sustainable development with a BREEAM 'Excellent' target, and prospective contractors should express interest by 22nd April 2026. The tender invites opportunities for growth, particularly for construction firms with expertise in high-complexity, multi-functional facilities that incorporate sustainable practices such as low-carbon energy solutions. Businesses that have experience managing live operational environments would be well-suited to compete, given the ongoing public access requirements during construction. Companies capable of delivering projects under standard contracts (NEC, ICC, JCT) and navigating constraints like ecological considerations and radiological risks could significantly benefit. The opportunity promises substantial business growth, particularly for firms specialising in large-scale infrastructure projects and sustainable development. ## Notice The development of a new Strategic Central Depot at Bowerhill, Melksham, forming part of a wider programme to rationalise and modernise the Council's operational estate. The depot will consolidate multiple existing facilities and services, including Highways, Waste, Streetscene and Fleet operations, into a single multi-functional site. ### Planning Information Wiltshire Council is progressing the development of a new Strategic Central Depot at Bowerhill, Melksham, forming part of a wider programme to rationalise and modernise the Council’s operational estate. The depot will consolidate multiple existing facilities and services, including Highways, Waste, Streetscene and Fleet operations, into a single multi-functional site The development is intending to be delivered on a live operational site, with existing Highways and Household Waste Recycling Centre functions to remain active throughout the design and construction phases. These operations include 24/7 highways response capability and daily public access to the HWRC, requiring careful planning, segregation and continuity of service at all times. The scheme is comprised of a complex mix of facilities, including operational yards, extensive vehicle stabling, maintenance workshops (supporting HGV and LGV fleets), office and welfare accommodation, HWRC infrastructure, fuelling and washdown facilities, and significant material storage areas. The site must support a wide range of vehicle types (up to 32t) and high operational areas, including public interface areas and future adaptability for fleet electrification. Several key constraints will influence design and delivery, including: • Live operational environment and phasing requirements • Site covenants restricting development in parts of the former golf course • Ground, ecological and drainage considerations, including biodiversity net gain • Identified radiological risk requiring further investigation and specialist input prior to intrusive works • Complex access arrangements and the need to segregate public, contractor and operational movements The development is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and aligns with Wiltshire Council’s net zero ambitions, requiring a fabric-first approach, low-carbon energy strategies (including air source heat pumps and photovoltaics), and infrastructure that supports future operational flexibility and resilience. Procurement options under consideration include both single-contractor and dual-contractor approaches (separating civils and building works), under standard forms of contract such as NEC, ICC and JCT. Wiltshire Council intends to hold a Soft Market Testing (SMT) engagement exercise webinar at 13:30 on the 23rd April 2026 on Microsoft Teams. This exercise is intended to inform the Council’s approach and does not constitute a call for competition. A formal procurement process will follow in due course. Any suppliers interested in attending should express an interest via email to CentralDepotProject@wiltshire.gov.uk and they will receive further information regarding the event details. Should you be interested in attending the event please express your interest by emailing names, roles, and contact details to the above-mentioned e-mail address by no later than 12:00 22nd April 2026 . Yours Faithfully Wiltshire Council ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034085-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Works | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 15 Apr 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 13 Jul 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Feb 2027 - 28 Feb 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £25,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | WILTSHIRE COUNCIL | | Locality | TROWBRIDGE | | Post town | Bath | | Postcode | BA14 8JN | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire | | ITL 3 | TLK72 Wiltshire | | Local authority | Wiltshire | | Electoral ward | Trowbridge Central | | Westminster constituency | South West Wiltshire | | Delivery location | TLK15 Wiltshire | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 45 - Construction work ### Codes - 45000000 - Construction work ## Release History - 15 Apr 2026 at 10:14 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034085-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034085-2026 15th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-0682b8. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0682b8.json.