Appointment of a Project Manager led ICT for BRCD - The Gobbins

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council wish to appoint an Economic Operator to provide a Project Manager led Integrated Consultant Team (ICT) for the design and delivery of “The Gobbins Phase 2”, in Islandmagee, Larne. To achieve the objectives of the project, there are 5 key elements, these include; Element 1 – Ingress Structure The purpose of the ingress structure is to provide a new entrance point to The Gobbins Coastal Path, this will address the capacity issue and allow the visitor number to increase. The Structure needs to be unique and World Class, be a draw to the attraction, and to allow the key objective be achieved. The ingress structure will allow visitors to access the coastal pathway from the cliff top, approx. 60m above, taking in the magnificent views of the Antrim Coast. Starting at the cliff top viewing platform, visitors would descend the ingress to an area close to Gordon’s Leap, which is presently the most northern point of the tour, and then proceed along the coastal path, exiting through Wyse’s Eye and looping back up to finish at the New Welcome Hub, thus creating a closed circuit and a one-way flow of visitors. The interpretation for the new ingress structure will be such that it will be sympathetic to the environment whilst at the same time creating a World Class attraction in itself, with viewing platforms, providing a breath-taking birds-eye view of unique fauna etc. and unparalleled access to the wild North Coast. Element 2 – Welcome Hub The proposed welcome hub will interlink with the new ingress structure on the cliff top to define the starting point for the new ingress route and Cliff top path, additionally benefits will include a means of controlling access and provide much need amenity facilities to The Gobbins Path. The welcome hub should be a relatively small building that is design to complement the new ingress structure as well as the rustic and rural setting of the site. The building is expected to not exceed 200m2, and provide amenities including equipment store, small tea point and toilet facilities. The welcome hub is not to distract or take away for the existing visitors centre Element 3 - Virtual Reality Digital Enhancement at the existing Visitor Centre It is proposed that a new Virtual Reality (VR) tour of The Gobbins coastal path and cliff path, including the telling of the story of the history of the building of The Gobbins in the early 1900s, as well as bringing to life its fauna, foliage, birds and geology. Element 4 - Refurbishment of Cliff Top Path Network This element would provide for a refurbished cliff top walkway, offering improved access to the spectacular views of the Antrim Coast shoreline, opening up The Gobbins spectacular experience to an extended range of ages and abilities. Element 5 - Visitor Servicing This element of the scope will address the impacted on the service provided to the users and operators of the attraction, with the expected increased visitor numbers there will be an increase in demand for services. The proposal will include the following element to improve the servicing of the attraction, but may not be limited to; • a new access road with a turning circle close to the new ingress and welcome hub, road will provide access from the Gobbins Road to the new proposed Welcome Hub • limited parking for public access to the upper path located near the Welcome Hub • Reconfiguration of the existing Car Parking at the Visitor Centre to increase the parking capacity. • New additional Car parking at close to the visitors centre. It has been determind to utilise a traditional procurement route for the construction contract utilising an NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract. The ICT shall fully develop the designs and specification before tendering the works contract inline with council and funder requirement Following the procurement of the works tender the economic operator will undertake the management of the IST on behalf of the Employer