Property firm Bidwells to help manage Scotland's coastline and seabed

Property firm Bidwells has secured a further term as managing agent for Crown Estate Scotland’s coastal portfolio, which comprises some 9,000 kilometres of foreshore and virtually all of the nation’s seabed.

The property consultancy’s coastal management team, comprising 17 specialist property professionals and consultants from across the country, will commence work under the new contract on April 1. Picture taken pre-Covid.

The property consultancy’s coastal management team, comprising 17 specialist property professionals and consultants from across the country, will commence work under the new contract on April 1.

Crown Estate Scotland recently put a number of property management contracts out for a retender with a full public procurement exercise, receiving tenders in early September.

They were “rigorously evaluated” on price and quality, and the outcome of the evaluation and recommendations were approved by its board at the end of November.

Andrew Wood, team lead for Bidwells’ coastal management team, said: “Bidwells has represented Crown Estate Scotland, in various forms, for over 20 years.

“Whilst much has been achieved over this time, many challenges and opportunities remain and we look forward to continuing our work with Crown Estate Scotland to manage this nationally important asset on behalf of the people of Scotland and assisting in the sustainable expansion of our ‘blue economy’.

“Crown Estate Scotland’s coastal interests comprise approximately 9,000km of foreshore and virtually all of Scotland’s seabed out to the 12 nautical mile territorial sea limit and involves the management of around 2,500 agreements and a customer base of over 1,400 tenants.

“Stakeholder activities range from private individuals using the seabed for their own personal use to commercial developments and nationally significant infrastructure projects.”

He added: “Our reappointment is a fantastic reflection of the dedication and expertise of our coastal management team.”

Established in 1839, Bidwells manages more than £5.2 billion in property assets and employs 450 people in England and Scotland, where it is headquartered out of Perth.

Andy Wells, director of property for Crown Estate Scotland, added: “We are very pleased to announce our intention to continue our strong working relationship with Bidwells over the coming years in delivering the best for our coastal tenants, and playing our part in promoting the development of Scotland’s blue economy.”

The coastal portfolio falls within Crown Estate Scotland-owned foreshore and seabed, from the Scottish border on the Solway to the border at Lamberton on the east coast, together with the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the Isles of Orkney and Shetland.

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