Leeds City Council is seeking a Development & Funding Partner to design and fund a large-scale, low‑carbon city‑centre heat network under a Development Agreement modeled on the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s (DESNZ) Advanced Zoning Programme. The partner will work with the Council during the development phase, and if the project meets mandatory criteria and receives approval, both parties will enter into a joint venture governed by a Golden Share Shareholders’ Agreement. This special-purpose vehicle (SPV) will then be responsible for the long-term delivery and operation of the network. The Council may also transfer ownership of its existing Leeds PIPES heat network to the SPV. The procurement includes key deadlines: clarification questions by 29 July 2025, responses to prequalification by 22 August 2025, interim bids by 17 October 2025, and final tenders by 19 December 2025.