Two companies have been shortlisted in the search for a developer for the King Alfred Leisure Centre site on Hove seafront.
They are Bouygues Development and Crest Nicholson Regeneration. Crest Nicholson is working in partnership with the Starr Trust, a charity set up by Hove businessman Rob Starr.
The firms were selected from six applicants by a team of specialist officers from Brighton and Hove City Council, including the heads of planning and sport, advised by Deloitte Real Estate.
The decision was ratified by the cross-party King Alfred Project Board at its meeting last Friday (12 December).
The shortlisted bidders were chosen after a pre-qualification stage that considers their relevant experience and technical and professional capability.
Other factors included a track record of partnership working and community engagement.
The council is emphasising that the firms have not been required to submit any plans at this stage. They won’t be expected to do so until the next stage of the process.
The shortlisted companies will now be invited to work up “outline solutions” as part of a competitive dialogue process.
This includes drafting design proposals for the sports centre and the enabling development required to pay for it, including the size of such a development.
There would also be a review of any alternative sites that the developers might propose for the sports centre with the funding coming from an enabling development at the King Alfred site.
Bouygues Development focuses on working in partnership with local authorities and landowners to develop schemes that create a better environment for local communities.
It is part of the Bouygues Group, a global development and construction company that has already delivered major projects across Britain and the world. They have ranged from sports facilities to community amenities and entire new neighbourhoods.
Crest Nicholson is based in Chertsey, in Surrey, and much of its focus is on projects in the south.
Locally it is best known for the award-winning One Brighton eco-development in the New England Quarter near Brighton Station.
The Starr Trust works with the local community to help young people fulfil their potential in sport, arts and education.
After a period of dialogue with the council, the bidders will be invited to submit final tenders next May.
Surprised the decision has come so quick. How many submissions were there? Are more able to come forward? I thought the deadline was April.
Dismayed that Crest Nicholson were chosen by Starr Trust. One Brighton in the New England Quarter is pretty disgusting. I can only think the fashion for ‘eco’ (whether it truly is, longterm, or not)got them an award for that mess. Right now all the ‘eco’ we are getting involves experiment and trendy ideas using nasty, modern materials and bits of wood (that are not looking good after five minutes) on the outside to give it that ‘nature’ touch.