Tender: Principal Contractor Required for Phase 1 Construction of New Cemetery – Gillingham (Common Mead Lane)

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Gillingham Town Council is seeking a principal contractor to deliver Phase 1 of a new cemetery on agricultural land off The Drove, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham; the council purchased the site in January 2026 and submitted a planning application in July 2026, with the design focused on harmonising with the rural landscape, supporting biodiversity (including hedgerow/tree retention and new planting for Biodiversity Net Gain), sustainable drainage systems (SUDS), accessible pedestrian and vehicular access (including public right of way improvements), modest permanent parking using grass reinforcement grids, and facilities such as accessible seating, water points and cycle parking. The contractor will take the project from costing and detailed technical design (landscape, civils, drainage and surface water management) through construction, commissioning and handover, including producing specifications, managing site logistics and health and safety, coordinating specialist subcontractors, and completing snagging, defects rectification and final documentation; the council will carry out initial site vegetation works prior to start and all works are subject to full planning approval and finance. Clarification requests must be emailed to [email protected] by 5 October 2026 and completed tenders with supporting documents must be received by the Town Clerk at The Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4QR or emailed to [email protected] by 9 October 2026; tenders must include company background and experience, three recent similar project examples with references, confirmation of public and employer's liability insurance, health and safety policy, accreditations, an outline programme, method statements, a detailed cost breakdown, completed risk assessments and the contractor declaration.