Two companies on short list to develop King Alfred centre

Two companies have been shortlisted in the search for a developer for the King Alfred Leisure Centre site on Hove seafront.

They are Bouygues Development and Crest Nicholson Regeneration. Crest Nicholson is working in partnership with the Starr Trust, a charity set up by Rob Starr, the Hove businessman.

The firms were selected from six applicants by a team of specialist officers from Brighton and Hove City Council, including the heads of planning and sport, advised by Deloitte Real Estate.

The shortlisted bidders were chosen after a pre-qualification stage that considers their relevant experience and technical and professional capability. Other factors included a track record of partnership working and community engagement.

The council is emphasising that the firms have not yet been required to submit any plans at this stage.

The shortlisted companies will now be invited to work up 'outline solutions' as part of a competitive dialogue process. This includes drafting design proposals for the sports centre and the enabling development required to pay for it, including the size of such a development.

There would also be a review of any alternative sites that the developers might propose for the sports centre, with the funding coming from an enabling development at the King Alfred site.

Bouygues Development focuses on working in partnership with local authorities and landowners to develop schemes that create a better environment for local communities.

Crest Nicholson is based in Chertsey, in Surrey, and much of its focus is on projects in the south. Locally, it is best known for the award-winning One Brighton eco-development in the New England Quarter, near Brighton Station.

The Starr Trust works with the local community to help young people fulfil their potential in sport, arts and education.

After a period of dialogue with the council, the bidders will be invited to submit final tenders in May ext year. It is hoped that this will lead to a preferred development partner being chosen by the following September.