Demolition work is underway to make way for the £200 million Becketwell regeneration project in Derby city centre.
Main contractor GMI Construction has brought in Derby specialist contractor Cawarden to bring down the former Central United Reformed Church and properties in Victoria Street.
A former Debenhams store was demolished by Cawarden last summer.
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Scaffolding and fencing has gone up around the next phase of the site, and the United Reformed Church has already moved to a purpose-designed home at Stuart House in Green Lane.
The development project will be the biggest in Derby city centre since the Westfield Centre went up in 2007.
Coun Matthew Holmes, Derby City Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transportation, said: “It’s terrific to see such strong progress being achieved on a scheme which is vital to helping create an exciting, vibrant and successful city centre – one where people will want to live, do business, shop and enjoy their leisure time.
“Becketwell has been a regeneration priority for many years. We look forward to continuing to work with St James Securities to deliver a project which will transform the fortunes of the area and bring wider benefits to Derby as a whole.”
Cawarden’s high-reach demolition machine is now on-site, and strict noise, dust and vibration monitoring and environmental controls will be in place to minimise the impact of the works on surrounding properties and businesses.
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Almost all of the building materials which are brought down will be recycled and reused in the new development, with all hard-core crushed and used on-site – cutting lorry movements and landfill waste.
The demolition work should be completed by May, with completion of the first phase of the scheme expected by early 2023.
Detailed planning permission was granted for phase one of the landmark Becketwell scheme in January.
It includes 259 build to rent apartments on the site of the former Debenhams store and a public square on the site of the former church.
A planned second phase could include a 3,500-capacity performance and conference venue on the site of Laurie House offices and the former Pink Coconut nightclub.
Further phases could include up to 250,000 sq ft of new grade A offices and commercial space and a hotel.
More than 2,000 jobs are expected to be created by the development, which it is hoped will kick-start further investment in surrounding areas of the city centre.
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Dan Murray is construction director at St James Securities, the Leeds-based commercial property development company behind the plans.
He 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.
“Our programme currently remains on track to start of works in May, with completion at the start of 2023.”
Andy Bruce, group managing director of GMI Construction, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our strong relationship with St James Securities and starting work on this significant project.
“We’re proud to play a part in the Becketwell regeneration scheme.”
William Crooks, managing director of Cawarden said: “We successfully completed the demolition of the former Debenhams building last year and the demolition of the church next door marks another key milestone in preparing the site for the much-anticipated Becketwell regeneration scheme.
“As a local specialist contractor, it is great to be back on-site in Derby helping to bring exciting regeneration plans for our home city to life.”
Funding for the Becketwell project includes £8 million in Local Growth Fund investment from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, the private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers and community and voluntary services which works to promote economic and jobs growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire.