FIVE firms are in the running to develop City of York Council’s new headquarters, but hopes of fast-tracking the scheme have been dashed.

The council says it is “very pleased” with the level of response to its Europe-wide invitation for developers, with 12 coming forward with suggestions of sites and ideas for a purpose-built, single-site HQ for the council. But a preferred scheme will not now be adopted until September, six months later than previously hoped.

Council officials had said in October that a developer could be appointed by the end of March. Instead, five of the 12 proposals have been shortlisted and those developers will now be invited to submit more detailed proposals and hold talks with senior council officials.

Council leader Andrew Waller today said the six-month delay would not affect the project’s completion date, as the winning firm would now start work six months after winning the deal, rather than a year after.

In an email to all council staff yesterday, accommodation project director Maria Wood said: “We are very pleased with the quality of the bids on the table and we are optimistic that we will be able to find a solution that meets all our needs and expectations.”

European rules mean neither identity of the developers nor the sites proposed can yet be revealed, but sources have told The Press that the shortlist includes at least one new site.

Previously, only Hungate, West Office in Station Rise, and land at Frog Hall off Layerthorpe were being considered.

The council started its procurement process last November, after withdrawing its original plans to move to Hungate, in the face of objections from conservationists.

In the hunt for a viable “Plan B”, potential bidders were asked to develop, design and construct a new headquarters building including a one-stop York Customer Centre, business and staff facilities at a central location on a single site, with space for meeting rooms, training and conference facilities and disabled car parking, within a construction budget of between £28 million to £32 million.

Coun Waller said he was pleased with the number and quality of bids, but Labour leader David Scott said he was concerned the six-month delay may lead to the council having to pay rent on its current St Leonard’s Place offices for longer.