Barnet appoints law firm to £5m contract for major regeneration scheme

The London Borough of Barnet has appointed Wragge Lawrence Graham to advise on a major regeneration scheme that could see legal fees reach £5m excluding VAT.

The appointment is to provide legal advice on Barnet’s Brent Cross Cricklewood Project, including but not limited to:

• Property;
• Procurement (including joint ventures and other delivery mechanisms);
• Planning (including Section 106 Agreements);
• Highways (including Section 278 Agreements);
• Financial and commercial;
• Tax (if required); and
• Affordable Housing.

The firm was appointed on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender in terms of:

1. Quality – Experience, Skills, Knowledge & Understanding. Weighting 15;
2. Quality – Procurement. Weighting 10;
3. Quality – Commercial. Weighting 10;
4. Quality – Planning. Weighting 10;
5. Quality – Public Sector Partnership. Weighting 10;
6. Quality – Delivery of Services. Weighting 15;
7. Quality – Presentation. Weighting 10;
8. Price. Weighting 20.

Barnet said it had received eight offers for the contract.

The Brent Cross Cricklewood Project, which involves the creation of a new town centre, were approved by Barnet Council and the Mayor of London in 2010. It is said to be the “biggest investment in the area’s history”, creating up to 27,000 full-time jobs and 7,500 homes.