Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has advised Durham University on its project for two new college facilities at Mount Oswald.

The project included procurement of a private sector consortium to design, build, finance and operate (DBFO) two new college facilities and wider communal facilities at  Mount Oswald, just to the south of  Durham city. The capital value of the project is in excess of £80m.

A multi-disciplinary WBD team advised the University from the pre-procurement stages, through the competitive tender process, and through to financial close.

The firm’s multi-disciplinary team was led by Iain Greenshields, Partner in Projects & Procurement, and supported by: Neil Walker (Legal Director), Emma Luscombe (Associate), Ian Ward (Partner) and Peter Cantwell (Associate) who provided property support, and with specialist corporate and banking support provided by Iain Pritty (Legal Director) and Viktor Osasu (Associate).

Iain Greenshields of WBD said: “This is another project on which WBD are proud to have worked, to support a major local educational institution based in the North East.

“Durham University is a longstanding client of the firm and we are delighted that our team were able to assist them with this complex DBFO project for the development of two new colleges which support its wider University strategy for development and growth.

“Understanding the priorities and operational nuances of a collegiate university and applying the DBFO model to this was a key factor in the success of this project.

“This is one of many examples which demonstrates our commitment to the local community as this development will provide accommodation for local, international and students from across the UK, to live and study at a world-renowned university based in the region.”

Tess Mantzoros, Head of Legal Services at Durham University, said: “As always, it has been a pleasure working with Iain and the Projects team at WBD to provide our legal support to the development of the two new college facilities.

“Their assistance has taken us right through the procurement process and enabled us to complete the contractual arrangements which will lead to the development of the new site.”

WBD has significant experience of advising a range of educational institutions, and other organisations in the wider public and third sector on complex DBFO and public-private partnership arrangements across many sectors.

The firm has extensive experience in understanding the requirements of working in the public arena with a strong focus on driving best value for the public purse.