Cardiff Closed Road Circuit Delivery and Operation

The Council is issuing this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (Notice) to commence preliminary market engagement with interested potential partners in respect of a near future procurement process that it intends to conduct. The procurement process aims to appoint a Delivery Partner to deliver and operate a Closed Road Cycle Circuit Facility in the Leckwith area of Cardiff (The Scheme). The Scheme is a priority development for National Governing Bodies for Cycling, Triathlon and Athletics (Running) and has been identified as a Principal Legacy Development for the Tour de France, which comes to Wales in 2027. It is the Council’s intention to procure a Delivery Partner (who in turn may appoint a Developer and/or Operator) through an open procurement process and for the parties to enter into a Development Agreement for the construction of the project. Once constructed, a Property Lease will be entered into together with a Management Agreement outlining core expectations for the operation of the Scheme. The Scheme is anticipated to cost in the order of c£4.5m and the aspiration is for this to be funded through Legacy Funding and other associated Grants, some of which has already been secured. Other than provision of the land (via long-lease) and supporting with grant applications where appropriate, the Council will not be funding or financially supporting the delivery and operation of The Closed Road Circuit by any other means and any funding shortfall will need to be met by the Delivery Partner. The Delivery Partner will, of course, factor in the revenue generated from operating the Facility and the Council would anticipate this is factored into consideration of the upfront costs of the Scheme. The proposed site for the Circuit is in the heart of Leckwith (See Annex 1) adjacent to other sports facilities and within the parameters of the wider Leckwith Sporting Campus and as such, the Delivery Partner shall be required to establish and maintain an active and regular working relationship with neighbouring facilities, in particular those immediately adjacent to the site for access and parking. The Council and National Governing Bodies (NGBs - Cycling, Triathlon, Athletics) have progressed the Scheme design to Stage 3 and submitted a planning application. Prior to any exchange of contracts, the Council and NGBs will have progressed the design through to Stage 4. The Primary objective is to ensure that the Scheme operates as a high-quality, accessible, inclusive and financially sustainable community and sporting facility. The facility shall support: • Cycling clubs, development and training sessions. • Triathlon clubs, development and training sessions. • Running clubs, development and training sessions. • Learn-to-Ride and cycle skills and confidence programmes. • Casual and recreational participation. • Community health and wellbeing activities, particularly targeting local catchment communities. • Schools, colleges, universities, youth groups and other third sector community organisations. • Disability and inclusive sport groups. • Performance development and talent pathways. • Local, regional and national sporting events. • Coaching, workforce and volunteer development. • Skills learning and experience linked to enterprise and future employment opportunities. The Council intends to include a management agreement alongside the property lease to set out specific operational requirements that ensure the operation of the facility balances sporting development, community benefit, accessibility and commercial sustainability, whilst maximising participation and utilisation. The Lease and ancillary the Management Agreement will set out the arrangements as between the Council and Delivery Partner (whether as the Delivery Partner or via PropCo/OpCo) for the operation of the Scheme. The Council makes the following supporting information available with this Notice: Annex 1: Site Plan Annex 2: Stage 2 Design and Access Statement Annex 3: Cost Report Annex 4: Funding Report It is the intention to procure a Delivery Partner through an open procurement process and for the Delivery Partner to enter into a Development Agreement. On completion of the construction of the Scheme, a Lease will be entered into together with a Management Agreement. The Development Agreement, Property Lease and Management Agreement will set out the arrangements as between the Council and Delivery Partner to enable the Delivery Partner to build, operate and maintain the Scheme for a defined term. The Council envisages to commence a public open procurement process for the Scheme via the issue of a Tender Notice in November 2026. The intention is to conduct the procurement using an Open Procedure procurement process as provided for under the Procurement Act 2023. The procurement process will involve a single-stage process, which does not permit dialogue or negotiation. The Single Stage Tender submission will include the pre-qualificati