Demolition set to begin on Manchester Road flats

WORK to demolish eight blocks of flats and change Bradford city centre’s skyline is due to start tomorrow, 10 December.

A 62 metre tall, 140 tonne excavating machine has been brought in ahead of the demolition of flat blocks just outside the city centre off Manchester Road. Thomas Crompton, which is carrying out the work, had to escort the Hitachi high reach machine into the city in four parts, and it has been assembled on site ready to work. It will work alongside two other 80 tonne machines to pull down the flats to make way for a multi-million pound housing development.

Local contractors have been stripping out the Stuart, Tudor, Hapsburg, Windsor and Bolingbroke Court blocks, and the 13-storey flats are set to be demolished over the coming weeks. Work will then begin again in the New Year to tear down the three Y-shaped blocks nearby – Ashton House, Osmond House and Taunton House. All debris and materials from the demolitions is being recycled into hardcore for roads and construction. Once the flats are gone, work can begin on building more than 100 family homes on the site.

Geraldine Howley, chief executive of Incommunities Group, said: “These blocks have been home to thousands of people over the years but sadly in recent years have proved difficult to re-let despite our best efforts. This really is a significant moment and the opportunity to make a big step towards delivering a prestigious development of much needed family homes fit for the 21st century.”

Rupert Pometsey, Incommunities’ director of development and growth, is overseeing the demolition programme. He said: “It’s great to see these specialist excavators move onto site as we get to the ‘business end’ of the demolitions of these blocks. Over the next few weeks it promises to be quite a sight as the structures come down and we look forward to a new beginning for the community. We have planning approval in place and are now finalising plans to deliver a landmark development that will be a catalyst for the revitalisation of the area.”

Angela Perry, Incommunities’ assistant chief executive, for asset management, added: “We are all really excited about building a new future at Manchester Road. There has been a significant change in the type of homes people want and it’s about providing the right housing in the right place. We are committed to regenerating the area with a development that  provides attractive affordable homes within easy access to the city centre.”