Work starts to demolish Manchester Road eight high-rise blocks
Local contractors have started work on the demolition of high-rise blocks, off Manchester Road, to make way for a multi million development of family-sized homes.
Contractors have carried out the internal removal of materials at Stuart Court and at Tudor Court. They are moving onto Hapsburg Court, Windsor Court and then Bolingbroke Court.
Scaffolding and cladding will also be removed over the coming weeks.
Nearby, teams will also start to demolish the three ‘Y’ blocks - Ashton House, Osmond House and Taunton House.
Incommunities took the decision to demolish the blocks due to the consistently low demand for the homes and after a review of all the options for the blocks.
Incommunities teams worked with local household to enable their successful rehousing with many moving to other Incommunities properties or moved to other housing providers.
Planning permission is in place covering both housing sites to develop over 100 affordable homes on the cleared land.
The main work to demolish the high rises is due to take place in December and will be carried out by a 100-tonne high reach excavator – one of only three in the country.
The Bradford-based demolition company Thomas Crompton’s are carrying out the work at Manchester Road. In 2019, the company successfully carried out the demolition of three high-rises in Bingley for Incommunities.
All the debris and materials that’s taken down will be recycled with much of the concrete being recycled at Thomas Cromptons specialist facility in Bradford, and turned into hardcore for roads and construction. The UPVC window frames will be recycled for the manufacture of new window units.
Geraldine Howley, Incommunities Group Chief Executive said: "We greatly appreciate the support and patience shown by our customers at the blocks who have successfully been re-housed – many to other Incommunities homes - by our Neighbourhood teams.
"The demolition brings a new chapter for the community with exciting plans in place to create a much more attractive place to live, work and play. We want to deliver a landmark development that will prove a fitting legacy for this historic housing site as well as a catalyst for the revitalisation of the area."
Angela Perry, Incommunities’ Assistant Chief Executive, Asset Management said: "We took the decision to demolish the blocks following a review of all the options and taking account longstanding low demand issues.
"There has been a real shift in the type of homes people want and it’s about providing the right housing in the right place. This key site will provide much needed attractive affordable homes and benefits from easy access with the city centre."
Rupert Pometsey, Incommunities’ Director of Development and Growth said: "These eight blocks have been home to thousands of people over the years but sadly have proved difficult to re-let, in part due to the benefit changes.
"We have planning approval and at the moment we are finalising the designs to deliver a prestigious development of much needed family homes fit for the 21st century."
Thomas Crompton from Thomas Cromptons Demolitions said: "We are delighted to be delivering this important demolition project on behalf of Incommunities and look forward to a successful project."