A major new procurement initiative has been introduced to help Scottish councils and housing providers fast-track the delivery of high-quality homes and large-scale regeneration projects. The Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) has opened applications for its H3 framework, which covers housing, regeneration, and demolition.

The H3 framework has been designed to address the increasing pressure on local authorities and registered social landlords to increase housing supply. It represents a significant evolution from previous models, moving beyond simple new-build housing to offer a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for the entire housing lifecycle.

This new route to market includes provisions for demolition and remediation, allowing the public sector to clear derelict sites and prepare land for development more efficiently.

Lesley Peaty, Regional Director of the Scottish Procurement Alliance, stated: "H3 has been developed to provide our partners with a compliant, flexible and comprehensive route to market that reflects the full housing lifecycle, from preparing sites and remediation through to new build delivery, demolition and estate regeneration.

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"By broadening the scope beyond traditional housing development, this solution will help public bodies and social landlords move faster, respond to housing pressures more effectively and deliver projects that support both communities and long-term national priorities.

"It is equally important that the framework helps create wider economic value, which is why we have embedded dedicated opportunities for SMEs to secure places and play a greater role in delivering housing and regeneration outcomes across Scotland in line with the requirements of the Community Wealth Building Act."

The H3 framework is structured to unlock challenging brownfield sites by incorporating specialist remediation services. By consolidating multiple disciplines into one framework, the SPA aims to provide a more streamlined and compliant path for complex programmes.

The initiative also places a heavy emphasis on supporting the local economy. In a move to bolster small businesses, the framework has reserved up to three places for micro and small enterprises in each of its five key lots. This structure is intended to ensure that smaller firms can participate in public sector delivery and support the goals of the Community Wealth Building Act.

The SPA currently supports over 145 organisations across Scotland's public sector, providing procurement solutions for construction, maintenance, and consultancy. Local authorities and housing associations interested in the H3 framework can now access application documents and the procurement portal via the SPA website.