Beehive Community Centre Burgess Hill

Burgess Hill Town Council has for some time been engaged with a project to create a community space in Burgess Hill that will provide performance space and accommodate up to 300 people. Planning permission has been granted (DM/19/3138 and DM/21/3067). The town council was previously successful in negotiating a loan with the Public Works Loan Board for a loan of £4,8million. Unfortunately, Covid and the Ukraine war intervened and we find ourselves in a situation which makes the delivery of this project too expensive in its current format. The latest costing is around £9million whereas we have a maximum of £5million to spend to include professional costs.

Our architects who were based in London have closed and we are now looking at appointing a new architect to take this project further and to also project manage the project. The Council recognises that a simpler design will have to be accepted to accommodate its budget but would not want to change the external appearance. In addition we would want the facility to be multifunctional to accommodate various types of functions. Raked seating would be a requirement as well as all possible environmental considerations.

https://www.burgesshill.gov.uk/strategic-planning-economic-development/cultural-quarter/

The Council is keen to appoint an architect with previous experience in designing facilities for the performing arts. The architect should be within reasonable distance of Burgess Hill in order to attend regular in person meetings. The Council will not necessarily appoint the provider submitting the lowest price. Submission of a small portfolio of previous similar work would be advantageous. The pricing of the project should be split into the following categories:

1. Preparation: Concept and Planning application. To include concept development and feasibility studies for discussion
2. Pre-Tender Technical Design (based on Design and Build Contract) To include preliminary architectural construction information & initial building regulations application; preconstruction H&S information; formal tender process working with quantity surveyor
3. Post tender Technical Design to include post-tender information, developed as part of the Principal Contractor's team following 'novation' from the clients team through to hand-over of the works and defects liability period during the following 12 months.

It should be noted that there may be a delay between phase 1 above and the implementation of the project depending on inter alia interest rates and housing development in the area which will affect our precept income.