The facts
Client: Homes and Communities
Agency (Formerly English Partnerships)
Location: Southend-on-Sea,
Essex
Services: Project management services
in the preparation of a Development Framework for the regeneration
of two surface car parks in the town centre
Sector: Regeneration
Start/Completion: 2007 - 2009
The Project
The aim of this project was to
prepare a Development Framework to shape the proposed development
for two surface car parks in the town centre of
Southend-on-Sea.
The proposals gave proper and thorough
consideration to all site constraints and development issues,
promoted a high quality of development and coordinated the key
ingredients of urban design to take account of market trends,
planning and employment opportunities and the wider regeneration
strategy for the area.
The Framework was used to procure a
preferred developer to deliver the regeneration of land at both
Clarence Road and Alexandra Street, Southend-on-Sea as a major
opportunity to deliver change as a catalyst for further
regeneration in the area.
Capita Symonds was appointed to provide
project management services on the project during the preparation
of a Development Brief for the two sites. At the outset of the
project, we led the appointment of the consultant team,
developing tender documents based on the client's requirements to
ensure that the strongest and most competent design team could be
appointed to support the preparation of the Development
Framework.
After project inception Capita Symonds was
responsible for defining and setting a clear programme of work,
identifying the tasks to be undertaken and completed to enable the
Design Team to work effectively. We chaired all of the project
team meetings and provided clear direction in order to ensure the
project progressed to programme and within budget. We also
provided a clear and consistent reporting approach to the Steering
Group for this project and delivered a strong communication
strategy to ensure that all key stakeholders had buy in and
supported the project proposals going forward.
By driving the project forward throughout,
Capita Symonds coordinated the development of a 'preferred option'
for each site which formed the basis of a Development Framework
that is now ready for endorsement by the council. We worked closely
with the team to ensure that the developed options will deliver
both a sustainable development and support a more sustainable
community by providing affordable housing, retail and employment to
expand the town centre offer, providing live-work units that will
support the local Arts community and providing opportunities for
university graduates to set up local business enterprise, and by
providing open space and an improved public realm which will
improve the linkages of the town centre and enhance the local
area.
Through constant liaison with the team and the
setting of clear and achievable deadlines the consultant team
developed the options within the tight programme and with the
support of all of the client team. Each option is now due to be
presented to Southend-on-Sea Borough Council for formal
endorsement.
Capita Symonds was also responsible for
monitoring the consultants fees for the project, and
was required to provide regular updates and budget
forecasting.