20-week demolition of former Shipley HMRC site on track

Working in partnership with Yorkshire-based contractor Metropolitan Demolition, Artisan Real Estate is currently on schedule with the 20-week demolition programme of the existing five-storey building on site.

Demolition is progressing at the former HMRC site in Shipley. (Image: Newsquest)

The demolition, which started in December 2023, involves the gradual removal of all buildings on site which mainly consist of two large hexagonal office blocks.

Commenting on the progress so far on the site, James Bulmer, development director for Leeds-based Artisan North said: “The demolition of the existing buildings is progressing well on site. All demolition works - including the existing chimney - is being carried out by our specialist demolition contractor, Metropolitan Demolition, who are doing an excellent job whilst remaining on programme.

“The contractor is employing a number of specialist techniques to ensure effective demolition, whatever the weather conditions.

Demolition is progressing at the former HMRC site in Shipley. (Image: Newsquest)

“This includes on site measures to prevent any surface water run-off from leaving the site, with a specialist water mist canon employed to suppress dust during demolition work.

“After completion of the demolition works, the material will be crushed and recycled to reduce carbon emissions and used as part of the new development.

“This will include raising the levels of the site as part of major flood defence works, which will immediately follow the demolition programme.”

Demolition is progressing at the former HMRC site in Shipley. (Image: Newsquest)

Construction work is expected to commence later this year.

Artisan’s plans for the new ‘Saltaire Riverside’ development include the provision of 289 new homes, more than 5,000 square feet 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.

An artist's impression of how the scheme would look (Image: Artisan Real Estate)

Mr Bulmer added: “This is a genuinely ground-breaking 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.

“The development will bring interest and investment to the area and provide a natural, contemporary extension to the existing Saltaire footprint.

“Our completed development will become a modern interpretation of the neighbouring Saltaire village, bringing much needed sustainable family housing in an accessible, well connected and environmentally responsible setting.”