Demolition work begins on Derby’s former Debenhams building

A specialist contractor has begun the structural demolition of the former Debenhams building in Derby to clear the way for a £200 million regeneration project.

Working on behalf of Derby City Council, Cawarden has moved onto the city centre site to begin pulling down the Victoria Street property, which is one of a number of old buildings set to make way for the Becketwell regeneration scheme.

The scheme, which was granted planning permission earlier this year, will see hundreds of new homes created, as well as office, retail and leisure space.

Cawarden, which is headquarterd in Ockbrook, near Derby, is the principal contractor for the demolition of the site.

In recent weeks, the firm’s site team has been completing the first phase of the works, which has involved stripping the interior of the ex-Debenhams building – including floors and ceilings to be recycled.

Cawarden has now moved to the next phase of works, which involves the structural deconstruction and demolition of the building itself.

To facilitate the works, various items of plant and machinery have been moved in via crane.

Over the last 12 months, Cawarden has invested more than £2 million in its in-house fleet of plant and machinery.

Two of the company’s latest demolition machines are being deployed for the first time at the Debenhams site.

What the proposed Becketwell scheme could look like (St James Securities)

Cawarden said that all materials removed from the project will be reused and diverted from landfill where possible. It is targeting 95% of recycling of non-hazardous waste.

Oliver Crooks, contracts manager at Cawarden, said: “We’re excited to be helping with the regeneration of Derby’s Becketwell area.

“This is a site with significant space constraints. The project has taken a great deal of planning and co-ordination with Derby City Council and other stakeholders to get things to where we could complete all required planning stages and agree the logistics for the project, and finally commence the structural demolition.

“We have been involved with the city council in this planning process from an early stage and this is a great example of early engagement between client and contractor.”

Cawarden said it plans to complete the structural demolition of the building by May.