23rd Mar 2006 12:01
St. Modwen Properties PLC23 March 2006 ST MODWEN PROPERTIES PLC PREFERRED BIDDER FOR MINISTRY OF DEFENCE ESTATE PROJECT The following is the text of an announcement issued this morning by the Ministryof Defence, confirming that a consortium comprising VINCI PLC and St. ModwenProperties PLC has been selected as preferred bidder for Project MoDEL. ENQUIRIES: St. Modwen Properties PLC Tel: 0121 222 9400Bill Oliver, Chief ExecutiveTim Haywood, Finance Director College Hill Tel: 020 7457 2020Gareth DavidMatthew Gregorowski PREFERRED BIDDER ANNOUNCED FOR MOD ESTATE PROJECT IN LONDON The selection of a consortium of VINCI plc and St Modwen Properties plc asPreferred Bidder for Project MoDEL (MoD Estate in London) was announced today byDefence Minister Don Touhig. Defence Estates, working with English Partnerships, the ODPM's nationalregeneration agency, have pioneered joint working with the other GovernmentDepartments, Local Authorities, the GLA and other Strategic Governmental Bodiesto ensure every effort is made to maximise the potential that this rareopportunity presents for London. Negotiations will now take place with thePreferred Bidder with the aim of awarding a contract in July 2006. Project MoDEL will initially invest over £150 million in the re- development ofRAF Northolt to create MoD's first integrated core site in London providingService Personnel with brand new living, working and messing accommodation plussports, social, health and welfare facilities. Mr Touhig said: "I am delighted that, following an intense competition, VINCI / St Modwen hasbeen selected as Project MoDEL's Preferred Bidder. The way is now clear to moveforward to awarding a contract, so we can deliver a 21st Century Defence estatethat will make a real difference to the quality of life for all our service menand women. "The Project is also an excellent example of close working across GovernmentDepartments and local authorities in London as part of the SustainableCommunities programme." Margaret Ford, Chairman of English Partnerships, said: "We have been working closely with Defence Estates over the future of itssurplus sites and how they can best be used to contribute to the delivery of newand sustainable communities. The appointment of the preferred bidder is a majorstep in bringing back into productive use some key development sites and we lookforward to continuing our working relationship with Defence Estates and now withVINCI/St Modwen." Bill Oliver, Chief Executive of St. Modwen Properties plc and David Bowler,Director of VINCI plc said: "VINCI plc and St. Modwen are extremely pleased to have been selected asPreferred Bidder for this important project. We look forward to continuing ourrelationship with Defence Estates to reach contract award in July 2006, and tothen working in partnership with all the stakeholders to bring forward thebenefits identified for RAF Northolt and the regeneration of the six sitesreleased from the London Estate". Project MoDEL's Contract Award is scheduled for July 2006 after which theappointed Prime Plus Contractor will fund and project manage the delivery of theconstruction requirements, primarily at RAF Northolt, the relocation of units,and the disposal of sites rendered surplus through the consolidation activity. Consolidation of the London Estate will lead to the release of over 250 acres ofland for redevelopment, on six sites, as listed below: 1. RAF Uxbridge 2. RAF Bentley Priory 3. RAF Eastcote 4. RAF West Ruislip 5. Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill 6. Victoria House Woolwich The receipts from these sites will be directly recycled into the development ofRAF Northolt. Notes to Editors 1. Project MoDEL aims to deliver a MoD Estate for the 21st Century byconsolidating the facilities occupied by the MoD onto fit-for-purpose sites, toimprove efficiency, reduce running costs and consolidate resources. 2. Project MoDEL is consistent with the delivery of the MoD EstateStrategy launched by the Secretary of State for Defence in June 2000 andre-launched on 21 March 2006. It is anticipated that the Project will securesignificant savings in estate related operational costs. 3. RAF Eastcote and RAF Ruislip are to be released as part of the UnitedStates Visiting Forces (USVF) rationalization. 4. RAF Northolt will become London's first integrated core site benefitingfrom over £150 million of investment. The site will eventually house around 40units from all three services and benefit from brand new living, working andmessing accommodation plus sports, social, health and welfare facilities. 5. The selection process for a Prime Plus Contractor consisted of severalstages, the first being to invite expressions of interest, followed bypre-qualification, then an invitation to submit outline proposals (ISOP),following which the issue of an invitation to negotiate (ITN). Factors takeninto account when selecting a Prime Plus Contractor include project managementcapability, technical competence, financial standing and supply chainarrangements. A Prime Plus Contractor has overall responsibility for themanagement and delivery of a project to meet the required specificationefficiently, economically and to time. Responsibilities include sub-contractorselection and management, design co-ordination, planning, cost control andenabling the client to effectively oversee the project. 6. English Partnerships is the government's national regeneration agency.Its' aim is to deliver high quality, sustainable growth in England, particularlythrough identifying and ensuring that best use is made of surplus public sectorland. English Partnerships has and will continue to provide Defence Estates andits preferred bidder with advice on sustainable development, masterplanning,design and other specialist inputs. For further information seewww.englishpartnerships.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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