Contractors United House and Osborne and architects PRP and HTA are believed to be among the names in the running for the government's flagship PFI social housing scheme in Ashford, Kent.
Treasury PFI advisory body Partnerships UK is sponsoring the 拢25m regeneration of the Stanhope Estate, which is intended to provide an exemplar of best practice. Previous PFI social housing schemes have been hampered by financial and administrative problems.

The sponsorship has resulted in the project attracting 44 expressions of interest. Partnerships UK housing sponsor Peter Impey said: "We are pleased with the level of response."

Several of the smaller firms are expected to be rapidly rejected as a result of the project's size. A source close to Ashford council said: "Some of the companies can easily be eliminated at the outset. But there are four or five big-name contractors and a slightly greater number of registered social landlords." RSLs that have put in an initial pitch include the Moat Housing Group, the Southern Housing Group and Hyde Housing Association.

Some potential bidders are interested because of the scheme's location. A source said: "Ashford is obviously a big growth area 鈥� Prescott is using it as a major focus of his housebuilding plans."

Ashford is a big growth area 鈥� Prescott is using it as a major focus of his housebuilding plans

Source close to Stanhope Estate scheme

The contract covers refurbishment and repair work on 600 homes at the estate.

The deadline for expressions of interest was 30 September. Prequalification questionnaires will go out by the end of this month, with invitations to tender handed out in the new year. A preferred bidder will not be appointed until next autumn, and will begin the ~ 30-year contract the following May.