Published date: 5 September 2023

Last edited date: 22 September 2023

This notice was replaced on 15 January 2024

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 15 January 2024)

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Research services - 73110000

Location of contract

South East

Value of contract

£15,000 to £20,000

Procurement reference

SGA-CAPERM008-20

Published date

5 September 2023

Closing date

10 October 2023

Closing time

5pm

Contract start date

17 October 2023

Contract end date

31 March 2024

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (below threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements below the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

https://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/planning-and-building/recreational-disturbance

Investigation in to whether the provision of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) should vary based upon where development is within the identified Zone of Influence (ZoI). This work would be a desk-based study, involving a new view on interpreting existing visitor survey data and mitigation approaches in line with the Habitats Regulations. The work should focus on whether the 8ha/1,000 person ratio is required as currently advised by NE, or if proportionate mitigation approaches across the ZoI could be acceptable. In depth knowledge of the Habitats Regulations would be necessary for any consultants completing this work to ensure that any mitigation recommendations would meet the required level of certainty, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, of avoiding impacts upon the integrity of Habitats Sites. It will be useful to draw on previous caselaw and Policy approaches to demonstrate the robustness and/or potential challenges of the project's conclusions.
A project is necessary to investigate the proportional SANG approach proposed by Eastleigh Borough Council and provide evidence for NE to defend or develop its advice. This evidence is required as early as possible in order to support the current strategic solution, and ensure that mitigation is being appropriately secured.
Our current stance is to require 8ha/1,000 people for all developments within the New Forest ZoI. Natural England is currently objecting to all developments relying on the Eastleigh Interim approach to proportional SANG provision. This project would be very useful to provide additional information to inform our future approach. This could also have much wider implications nationally for all strategic solutions who currently utilise the 8ha/1,000 people standard for SANG.

More information

Attachments

Additional text

https://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/planning-and-building/recreational-disturbance

To apply for this opportunity you must submit your quotation meeting the requirements detailed in the Request for Quotation (RFQ) attached.
Your response must be sent to miranda.petty@naturalengland.org.uk by 12 midday on 26/09/2023.

If you have any clarification questions linked to this opportunity or the procurement process please submit these via email to miranda.petty@naturalengland.org.uk. Please note that, unless commercially sensitive, both the question and the response will be circulated to all tenderers.

About the buyer

Contact name

Miranda Petty

Address

4th floor, Eastleigh House
Upper Market Street
Eastleigh
SO50 9YN
England

Telephone

07768326944

Email

miranda.petty@naturalengland.org.uk