In July 2003 Gould Singleton Architects in partnership with Infracare, healthcare developers, were invited to tender for the NHS LIFT project at Dudley South Primary Care Trust. Gould Singleton had previously been involved in shortlisted bids with Infracare for LIFT projects at North Notts and South Derbyshire.

Through to the early Spring of 2004, Gould Singleton Architects were involved in preparing designs and specifications for schemes at Stourbridge and Brierley Hill as part of the initial bid process on Dudley PCT LIFT projects, leading to Infracare being successful in being appointed Preferred Bidder in the Spring of 2004, in partnership with Dudley PCT.

During the bidding process up to selection of preferred bidder, the process involved numerous meetings with stakeholders and end users, design reviews, site appraisals and planning consultations.

Detailed analysis of room schedules and requirements and evaluation of the brief was undertaken in assisting the stakeholders draw up the brief of requirements.

Following the successful appointment of Preferred Bidder, Gould Singleton continued working closely with the end users, the PCT and the Local Authority, Dudley MBC, in developing the final requirements of the building and preparing the planning applications and technical specifications for financial close.  Gould Singleton Architects were involved in all aspects in developing the Stourbridge Health and Social Care Centre in close liaison with the PCT meeting at regular intervals to review and progress the scheme in conjunction with the end users requirements.

The final design for the Stourbridge site followed extensive site investigations and profiling of the site levels and sections. Due consideration of access, legibility, urban design and appearance was paramount in the success of the scheme to secure planning permission within the tight timescales set down for financial close.