Council appoints contractor route for pavilion/compound and flags planning and flood constraints

Wilton Town Council approved a preferred tender approach for the Castle Meadow pavilion/compound and associated car park, instructing officers to appoint the contractor on the baseline tender submission and to develop detailed design and a planning submission package that addresses drainage, surfacing and lighting in light of the site’s flood‑zone constraints.

Members debated the comparative bids and stressed that appointment is for detailed design and planning work rather than the final build price. Councillors were told the tenders were priced against the same baseline scope and that detailed design choices—materials, planting and finishes—would be developed after appointment. One councillor emphasised the flood‑zone three status of the site and asked that surfacing, drainage and lighting considerations be treated as integral to the planning package.

The council also directed that the planning submission must include retrospective consent for two existing shipping containers and any lean‑to structure, and that any changes affecting scope or cost must be brought back to full council before submission or implementation. Officers confirmed that final layouts and detailed design work would follow appointment and that the council would receive the planning package for approval.

Next steps: appoint the preferred contractor to undertake detailed design and planning work, prepare a planning application that includes retrospective elements, and report back to council with final layout and any cost changes.