JV North seeks framework partners

The social housing consortium has launched a £180m contractors and consultants framework seeking a range of professionals to help build and sell homes.

JV North has 11 members spanning Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Nottingham and Preston that plans to build 3,000 homes for rent and ownership by 2021.

It is anticipated that approximately 2,000 of these properties will be delivered through the new four-year framework due to start in July. For the past four years, the JV North development framework has included contractors, architects and quantity surveyors.

The new framework will also include employer’s agents, principal designers, legal conveyancers and valuers. This time, JV North has created a two-tier system based on the value of the works being offered.

Firstly, a framework targeting contractors and consultants for works in excess of £1m.

Secondly, a roster of contractors bidding for work valued up to £1m open to small builders.

JV North is using a Dynamic Purchasing System, a recently introduced procurement tool that JV North believes will better suit SME businesses.

The consortium is also seeking contractors to deliver offsite projects using modern methods of construction.

Sean Stafford, director of Saffer Cooper, manager of JV North’s development programme, said: “The landscape in social housing has changed and JV North is reacting to this to ensure it can deliver just as it has since forming in 2007. The existing framework has been very successful with excellent work carried out by a collection of high quality organisations and professionals.

“We are now looking to widen it so we can deliver nearly 3,000 new home ownership properties and so require consultants who offer specialist services.

“As well as larger businesses, in April SMEs can apply for works valued £1m and under so JV North members can further increase the investments they make in their local economies and communities.”

Members of JV North include: Aksa Homes, Eastlands Homes, Community Gateway Association, Gedling Homes, Liverpool Mutual Homes, New Charter Housing Group, One Vision Housing, Torus (Helena Partnerships and Golden Gates Housing Trust), Trafford Housing Trust, Weaver Vale Housing Trust and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group.

In January, JV North received £87.3m from the Homes & Communities Agency’s shared ownership affordable homes programme. JV North members are contributing £248.2m, taking the total investment to £335.5m.