Passport Office demolition clears the way

A major development in the city of Durham, United Kingdom, has moved on a stage with demolition of the site’s former HM Passport Office buildings.

The demolition of the 28,000 sq m (300,000 sq ft) 1960s buildings paves the way for a 42,000 sq m (450,000 sq ft) mixed-use development as part of the Durham Riverside Renewal. The contractor was Thompsons of Prudhoe, which is based in the north-east of England.

Delivered during a 12-month programme, around 70,000 t of material have been processed across the 2.2 ha (5.5 acre) site. Most of it is being recycled, including the concrete structure that has been crushed for use as a base for foundations and to raise areas of the site about the level of the adjacent riverbank.

Following the removal of the buildings, which also previously housed National Savings and Investments’ offices, a period of remediation and enabling works will lead to the first stage the Milburngate construction.

Allan Cook, managing director of developer Arlington Real Estate, said: “The demolition phase has not been without its challenges, but by closely collaborating with our demolition contractors, Thompsons of Prudhoe, we have achieved the first significant milestone in the delivery of this project.”

Ben Holmes, a director at the Richardson family business which is developing the site alongside Arlington, added: “Demolishing such a large structure that is flanked by a river and existing buildings and homes in an environmentally considerate way was a challenge, but one that was delivered successfully.”