A Poole housing scheme has become the first project to progress under a new multi-billion pound construction procurement framework.

In what’s described as “an important milestone”, Southern Construction Framework (SCF) is working with Poole Housing Partnership and BCP Council to support the affordable housing development.

Plans for 110 homes on the site around the new Hillbourne Primary School building in Poole have moved forward, thanks to SCF and BCP Council collaborating on the procurement process through the new £5.16 billion Residential Delivery & Development Framework.

Matthew Elliott, SCF Senior Framework Manager, pictured left, said: “We are delighted with the progress on a particularly important residential development which is testament to the efficiency of our new Residential Delivery & Development Framework.

“The overall goal of SCF is to use our expertise to support public bodies by ensuring development processes are as smooth, efficient and cost-effective as possible.

“It is a great reflection on SCF and BCP Council that this procurement process is proving to be so swift.

“It’s also an important milestone because it’s the first residential project to move through our new residential framework.”

The Hillbourne development includes 41 three-bedroom homes, 40 two-bedroom homes and 29 independent living, one-bedroom apartments.

The homes will be a mix of affordable rented for residents on the housing register as well as shared ownership.

Cllr Philip Broadhead, BCP Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Development, Growth and Regeneration, pictured right, said: “The construction industry has experienced considerable uncertainty over the past 12 months through high inflation uplifts and material supply delays.

“Using the SCF for this housing development has great benefits for the council.

“It provides the confidence of the selection of a construction contractor from market-leading tier one contractors who have the capacity, capability and experience of designing and constructing this high-profile development.

“It puts us at an advantageous position, whereby the contractor is able to mobilise quickly, has the buying and negotiation powers at a national level, enabling us to be able to deliver on our priority to provide much-needed affordable housing as efficiently as possible.”

BCP Council approached SCF for support in October at a time that finishing touches were being applied to its Residential Delivery & Development Framework.

It was launched in December to provide public sector bodies with access to market-leading tier one and SME housebuilders.

Following its launch, BCP Council and SCF quickly set about creating a week-long mini-competition among contractors before a shortlist was drawn up.

Now SCF is supporting a second half of the competition with key documentation in support of a tender.

Matthew said: “SCF prides itself on ensuring a pipeline of work that begins quickly when a new framework is released.

“We are really pleased this has been the case for all three of our current frameworks.

“There is a real professionalism and determination to get things done but this project confirms our residential framework is working well.

“We have hit the ground running and ensured BCP Council has access to a fantastic breadth of experience and expertise ideally tuned to the needs of the current housing market.

“We have built this framework around our ethos and practice of collaboration, transparency and added value, with a focus on social value and supporting carbon and environmental impacts.”

Created to support public sector residential construction and development in the region, SCF Residential is a four-year framework available to all public bodies in the South East, London, and South West.

As well as supporting the new residential project, BCP has also worked with SCF to deliver the now completed £8.5 million Hillbourne school through its construction and consult frameworks which also provide access to appropriate contractors and consultants.

Now SCF are inviting other public sector bodies to take advantage of the framework that has been set up to support the development process.

Matthew added: “We’d love to hear from housing organisations and public bodies who want to explore how to make the most of every opportunity to deliver housing.

“By working with SCF, they can develop land themselves to realise full value and maximise opportunities through our procurement route.”

• scfresidential.org.uk