Colombia's National Planning Department (DNP) has appointed a team formed by British Property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper and Colombian law firm Durán & Osorio to conduct feasibility studies on a new social housing programme.

The team will advise the government agency on the selection of a public-private partnership (PPP) framework for the future project.

According to sources, the preferred bidder team, the McBains-Durán & Osorio joint venture, beat out a pool of British, Spanish and Colombian bidders, including Deloitte, Epypsa, Garrigues and Pronus.

Santiago Klein, McBains Cooper international director said:

"We have advised the National Planning Department on numerous occasions, relative to healthcare, education, government buildings, airport and highway projects developed under PPPs, and are pleased that, again, they have chosen to trust in our long-standing expertise and that of our partner Durán & Osorio."

The feasibility studies are expected to be completed as soon as November this year.