Tower Hamlets has published a procurement opportunity for har6174: riverside poplar phase 2 with an estimated value of an undisclosed value. The submission deadline is the date stated in the official notice, giving eligible UK suppliers a limited window to prepare and submit bids through the official Find a Tender portal.

Published on 2026-04-09, this contract is open to suitably qualified suppliers across the United Kingdom. All businesses interested in bidding should review the full tender documentation and confirm they meet all eligibility requirements before the closing date.

Contract overview

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets (the Council) has identified an opportunity to acquire 223 affordable housing units at Blocks A and B at Heron Wharf, Poplar Riverside, Leven Road (the Site). The Site is currently owned by St William Homes LLP (SWH), a subsidiary of Berkeley Homes (BH). SWH is developing residential housing as part of Phase 2 of the Heron Wharf scheme (the Scheme). The planning permission and associated s106 agreement obtained for the Scheme requires SWH to sell the affordable flats to be delivered, to a Registered Provider, which in this case would be the Council. As part of the Scheme, the Council has agreed to acquire 223 affordable units as set out below. When the construction of the units reaches "golden brick" stage (above foundation level - being the point at which the units are treated as a zero-rated supply for VAT purposes) the Council will purchase the land interest from SWH (so the Council becomes the owner of the land on which the 223 affordable units are to be delivered). The Council will also, at the same time pay SWH the costs associated with the delivery of the works up to "golden brick". The Council will also enter into a Development Agreement with SWH for the delivery of the 223 affordable housing units. The Development Agreement will place a legally enforceable obligation on SWH to commence and deliver housing on the Site in accordance with agreed specification requirements as set out in the Development Agreement. The Council will pay for the costs of the works associated with delivering the affordable housing units in monthly instalments. The completed outputs will then be handed over to the Council's ownership on practical completion. The opportunity offered to the Council by SWH comprises two linked transactions: (i) the purchase of the Site and "golden brick" works that the 223 affordable housing units are to be delivered on by the Council from SWH; and (ii) the award of a works contract (Development Agreement) by the Coun

Tower Hamlets is the contracting authority. The estimated value is an undisclosed value and the deadline is the date stated in the official notice. Download the full specification from the official portal before preparing a bid.

Is your business eligible?

This contract is most relevant to construction firms, contractors, specialist tradespeople. Suppliers typically need to demonstrate experience delivering similar contracts, appropriate financial standing, and hold trade certifications, public liability insurance, ISO 9001.

Under the Procurement Act 2023, Tower Hamlets must actively consider SME participation. Check whether this contract has been structured into lots.

• Proven track record in construction contracts of comparable scope
• Financial standing appropriate for a an undisclosed value contract
• Relevant certifications: trade certifications, public liability insurance, ISO 9001
• Capacity to mobilise within Tower Hamlets’s required timeframe

How to submit a bid

• Step 1 — Access the notice: Visit Find a Tender at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032388-2026
• Step 2 — Register free: Create or log in to your supplier account
• Step 3 — Download documents: Read the full ITT before preparing your response
• Step 4 — Raise clarifications: Submit questions early — Q&A typically closes 1–2 weeks before the deadline
• Step 5 — Submit before the date stated in the official notice: Late submissions are not accepted

What the buyer will evaluate

Tower Hamlets will assess all compliant bids against published criteria. Buyers typically apply a 60% quality and 40% price weighting. Under the Procurement Act 2023, social value is a mandatory evaluation criterion.

Writing a winning bid

• Lead with an executive summary addressing Tower Hamlets’s objectives directly
• Provide two or more case studies with measurable outcomes from comparable contracts
• Include specific, costed social value commitments
• Price to win but ensure your margin covers full delivery

Frequently asked questions

Can SMEs bid for this contract?

Yes. The Procurement Act 2023 requires Tower Hamlets to consider SME suitability and remove unnecessary barriers.

Is registration on the portal free?

Yes. Registering as a supplier on Find a Tender is completely free.

Where are the full tender documents?

All documents are on the official Find a Tender listing at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032388-2026.

This article is for informational purposes only. Always verify all details on the official procurement portal before submitting a bid. Kael Tripton is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tower Hamlets or the UK government.