The appointment of the required additional services are necessary to progress the project through to delivery, including achieving defrayment in line with the MOU.
- To carry out a Flood Risk Assessment and a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal at Martello Tower E.
The results of the Flood Risk Assessment and the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal will then enable us to get the project’s upcoming planning application validated. With our planning approval, TDC can then apply for our bat licence, and undertake subsequent mitigation works, before the hibernation season starts in September, as has been advised by the project ecologist.
The reports have been confirmed as validation requirements for the Planning application by the LPA in the pre-application advice received in June 2026. Urgent submission of the application is essential to achieve the above timescales and secure the Bat Mitigation License, without which would cause a knock on effect to the project within the construction phase having both programmatic and financial implications.
Therefore, this procurement of the additional services is in line with Section 2 of the Constitution which sub-section 2.1 states: c) The matter is one of urgency as determined by the appropriate Corporate Director/Head of Department following consultation with the responsible Portfolio Holder or the Leader of the Council.
The lead-in time for undertaking the Flood Risk Assessment can be as long as 6 weeks. Therefore, undertaking this piece of work is urgent in line with our planning validation requirements.
(e) Where the work is of a specialist nature and the Corporate Director/Head of Department can demonstrate that it is not possible to obtain more than one quotation or tender.
As it is peak survey season for ecologists at present the average lead-in time for PEA’s can be 8-10 weeks. However, as Geosphere has already been appointed by TDC to undertake bat surveys at Martello Tower E, they can utilise their forthcoming site visit to carry out these additional works. Furthermore, given their existing knowledge of the site and the information already gathered, they would be able to expedite the preparation and completion of their report.

To direct award appointments for:
A Flood Risk Assessment to be provided by Canham Consulting at a cost of £1950 (+ VAT); and
A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal to be provided by Geosphere at a cost of £950 (+VAT);
both in relation to the Ten_11 Martello Tower E project, as part of the Community Regeneration Partnership.
The above appointment is made under exemption to the Procurement Procedure Rules for reasons of urgency and specialist work required, as these reports are required urgently to enable submission of consents applications, as advised by Planning, which are required to secure a Bat Mitigation License before the next hibernation season commences in September, as has been advised by the project ecologist.

The appointment duration concludes before the timescales of Local Government Reorganisation.
The wider project will include works to provide improved amenities to residents of and visitors to the district and deliver improvements to the condition of existing public realm and open spaces owned by the Council, with a view to improving condition and managing the ongoing maintenance burden of such sites.