DEMOLITION has begun to transform the vacant HMRC office complex on the edge of the Salts Mills World Heritage Site in Saltaire, Shipley, into a residential quarter and riverside park.
Urban regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate is now progressing with the homes-led redevelopment of the 11-acre site, sandwiched between the River Aire and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, which was formerly home to an HMRC office block that closed in October 2021.
Working in partnership with Yorkshire-based contractor Metropolitan Demolition, Artisan is commencing the ‘staggered’ 20-week demolition programme of the existing seven-storey HMRC building on site, whilst working closely with Bradford Council to fulfil a number of terms of obligations.
The demolition will involve the gradual removal of all buildings on site which mainly consist of two large hexagonal office blocks.
Material from the demolition will be recycled and used to raise the levels of the site as part of major flood defence works, which will immediately follow the demolition programme. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2024.
Welcoming the start on site, James Bulmer, Development Director for Leeds-based Artisan North said: “We are all hugely excited to finally be on site, and to start the transformational development of this outstanding site next to an UNESCO world heritage site.
“Because of the site’s very special location, we are also fully aware of the many unique sensitivities surrounding any development activity – relating to both the local and wider environment and its adjacent residential community. As such, we are working hard to ensure all activity on site is carried out in a carefully staged, safe and efficient manner, causing minimal disruption to all our neighbours.
“We are fortunate to enjoy well established partner-based relationships with both our contractors and the local authority and will keep all our neighbours, local businesses and wider stakeholders informed and updated of progress throughout all stages of the development process.”
Artisan’s plans for the new ‘Saltaire Riverside’ development include the provision of 289 new homes, more than 5,000 sq. ft. of commercial office space designed for flexible working and a café facing on to a new ‘pocket’ park and piazza.
A sizeable riverside park will link the development to the River Aire, providing woodland, grasslands and lawns to act as a natural flood water storage area whilst pedestrian links will provide direct access to Saltaire Rail Station and the canal towpath.
Mr Bulmer added: “This is a genuinely groundbreaking development that will spectacularly open up a large riverside area that has effectively been closed to the public since the 1970s when the HMRC complex was built.”
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