Scope
Description
Background
Greatness Recreation Ground has become more and more popular as a local open space facility. It is developing from an original open space recreation ground into a more formal park. This is likely to only increase with a neighbouring development of approximately 900 dwellings to be started within the next five years.
It is also the home of the very successful Sevenoaks Town Football Club, which brings many visitors to the park. During 2026 the football club's new pavilion is due to be completed.
Bearing in mind all these changes Sevenoaks Town Council carried out a community survey relating to the future of the open space and its facilities.
From the responses it was clear that the current play area which has been in place for fifteen years needed to be reviewed and upgraded. Following consultation, it was also agreed to move its location to enable families who were already on the grass area to have a child use the play area without crossing the car park. The proposed new location would also be nearer the new pavilion which will have toilets and a café.
Key Points
1. The tender is for a completely new playground on a field.
Therefore, infrastructure e.g. drainage, fencing, safety surface, entry gates required.
2. Aimed at primary school children
3. Natural look equipment rather than bright colours, meeting ROSPA standards
4. Requires some DDA compliant inclusive play equipment
5. Requires some shading (preferably natural e.g. trees). Must retain the existing tree, ideally within the proposed footprint, or otherwise just outside of it)
6. To create a wetpour base with a new wetpour safety surface which compiles with BSEN 1176 and has a minimum guarantee of 2 years but preferably longer. A maintenance plan is a desirable extra service we would like. The product should have been tested in accordance with BS EN 1177 and BS EN 7188.
7. Timetable
• May 2026 public consultation on preferred options
A1 size image of play area to be provided.
• July 2026 appointment of contractor
• October 2026 installation
8. Size of play area
Existing: Approx 32.7m length x 19.5m width
New: 41.5m length x 17m width
Budget for the Project
Maximum budget for the play area project is £200,000. £240000 inclusive of VAT.
Questions
1. What level of inclusivity is required (for example, units with wheelchair-accessible ramps), and how will this be scored?
Please meet the principles of PIPA. The score is in the assessment criteria.
2. We discussed the requirement for trees and agreed it may be preferable for the council to supply and plant these separately. Is this agreeable?
Yes the council to supply and plant the trees.
3. What does "play value" mean to the council, and how will this be assessed?
The play value will mean how much play you can get of each piece of equipment. The score is in the assessment criteria.
4. When you mention that "a maintenance plan is a desirable extra service," what is envisaged here?
The council means equipment that is easy to maintain with lasting quality.
5. How will best value and/or equipment be scored or interpreted?
The score is in the assessment criteria.
6. There is a 500-word limit per response. Given a £200k design, this may make it difficult to adequately explain each proposal. Is there any possibility of increasing the word limit?
Yes we can increase the word limit to whatever is needed.
7. Are wetpour graphics and colours required, or is plain black wetpour acceptable?
Options would be welcome.
8. What type of fencing is preferred around the play area?
Bow top fencing - 1 metre.
9. It was discussed on site to provide a path from the play area to the gym equipment, with all gym items located on a single wetpour pad. Is this desirable, or would you prefer individual wetpour pads beneath each item with grass in between?
Options would be welcome.
10. How will you be scoring price?
The score is in the assessment criteria.
11. It was discussed on site that it could be that we are to just remove the existing play equipment and leave in the existing safer surface and fence as this will be dealt with when the car park extension is done. Are you able to confirm that this is what is required?
Yes please price separately to remove the existing play equipment - this is not part of the tender price it will be classified as extra.
Total value (estimated)
- £200,000 excluding VAT
- £240,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 July 2026 to 1 August 2026
- 1 month, 1 day
Main procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 43325000 - Park and playground equipment
- 45112723 - Landscaping work for playgrounds
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Participation
This procurement is reserved for
- UK suppliers
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs)
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Tender submission deadline
28 February 2026, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Please submit tenders via email to rfo@sevenoakstown.gov.uk
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
The contract will be evaluated on the following basis:
Complete Written Tender 10%
Trade References 5%
Best Value / Equipment for Play Area 20%
Inclusive Play Elements 15%
Additional facilities, fencing, safety surface 10%
Price 20%
Feedback from Public 10%
Maintenance Requirements 10%
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Documents
Associated tender documents
STC Tender Letter - Greatness Play Area (4 GE).docx
Tender Letter
Tender Questionnaire - Greatness Recreation Ground Play Area (F).docx
Tender Questionnaire
Contracting authority
Sevenoaks Town Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWRT-7368-MNDD
Sevenoaks Town Council Offices, Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3QG
sevenoaks
TN13 3QG
United Kingdom
Contact name: Georgina Jackson
Telephone: 01732 459953
Email: rfo@sevenoakstown.gov.uk
Website: https://www.sevenoakstown.gov.uk/
Region: UKJ46 - West Kent
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government