This new system replaces the Delivery Partner Panel 3, transforming the way Homes England procures house builders and disposes of land.
Switching to a dynamic purchasing system means that house builders and contractors can now apply to join the agency’s list of preferred developers at any time, rather than having to wait until the list is renewed once every four years.
It marks the biggest DPS of its kind, and, valued at £20bn, and is Homes England’s largest procurement exercise to date.
Previous delivery panel partners including national contractors like Kier, Laing O’Rourke and Mace have dropped out, although they could now apply for inclusion at any time.
The new line-up includes 24 SMEs far more small firm’s than the previous delivery panel.
The Delivery Partner DPS will also be available to Homes England’s public sector partners to help them procure a developer or contractor to build homes on sites they own.
Stephen Kinsella, Chief Land and Development Officer at Homes England, said: “This marks a significant step forward in the way we work with developers to build homes.
“We’ve also simplified the application process, so whether you’re a large, nationwide housebuilder, or a small local developer, it will be easier for you to access land you want to build on.
We encourage all housebuilders interested in working with us to monitor our recently updated Land Hub, and apply to join the DPS when they see a site of interest.”
The application process is proportionate, and depends on the size of the sites that a developer wishes to bid for, making it more accessible for smaller developers.
In addition, during the application process house builders can express interest in the locations and types of sites they want to develop.
Homes England has a number of sites that it is planning to issue expressions of interest for via the DPS in the coming months.
This includes a 14-acre site on Homes England’s Northern Arc scheme in Burgess Hill, which will support around 350 homes, 30% of which will be affordable homes. The site will be divided into two or three sub plots, making it particularly suited to SME developers.
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Another site soon to be marketed via the DPS is in Cradley Heath, Dudley. Over the last couple of years Homes England has cleared disused industrial buildings from the site, and it now has outline planning permission for 89 homes.
