Demolition Work Starts Ahead of Phase One Of The £200 Million Becketwell Project

DERBY, U.K. - March 16, 2021 - PRLog -- The £200m regeneration of the Becketwell area of Derby city centre has moved a step closer, after demolition work started on the former Central United Reformed Church and properties on Victoria Street.

GMI Construction have been appointed main contractor for the project, with Derby-based specialist contractor, Cawarden, carrying out work onsite.

Demolition of the former Debenhams store, which occupied part of the site, was completed by Cawarden last summer. This latest demolition work will clear the way for the most significant development project in Derby city centre since the Westfield Centre.

Cawarden are currently clearing the site of the former Central URC, which was situated on the first floor of the building next to the site of the former Debenhams store, and the commercial units below at street level.

The Central URC has now relocated to a new purpose-designed home at Stuart House on Green Lane.

A strip of the church and former shops is currently being carried out, which includes all interior fixtures and fittings which will be recycled.

Cawarden's specialist high-reach demolition machine has arrived on-site, which signifies the start of the structural demolition works.

Strict noise, dust and vibration monitoring and environmental controls have been put in place to minimise the impact on surrounding properties.

98% of the building materials from the church and shops will be reused in the new development, with hard-core to be crushed and left on-site. This will help reduce vehicle movements and divert waste away from landfill.

Demolition work should be completed by May 2021, with completion of the first phase of the scheme expected by early 2023.

Phase one includes construction of 259 apartments on the site of the former Debenhams store. The centrepiece will be a multi-purpose public square on the site of the former Central URC, which will also be delivered as part of phase one.

Work is already underway to bring forward a second phase to comprise a new 3,500-capacity performance and conference venue on the site of Laurie House offices and the former Pink Coconut nightclub.

Commenting on the start of demolition works, Dan Murray, construction director at St James Securities, said:

"The start of demolition works on the former Central URC and shops on Victoria Street takes us a step closer to seeing phase one of the Becketwell regeneration scheme become a reality.

"GMI Construction has worked on multiple award-winning projects for an extensive portfolio of developers, public sector clients and blue-chip companies across a diverse range of sectors and we are delighted to have them on-board.

"Cawarden is a well-known local specialist contractor whose team are familiar with the site, having demolished the former Debenhams scheme last summer."