Newcastle City Council has confirmed final details for the demolition of the Hexham House tower block in Walker.
The demolition was delayed earlier this year to give the council additional time to consult with stakeholders and service providers and to identify and plan for any support local residents need on the day.
Local company, Thompsons of Prudhoe, have been awarded the contract to demolish the building. After inspecting the building they concluded a controlled explosion was the safest way to demolish Hexham House.
Preparation work for the first explosive demolition since Bobby Robson brought down the old Newcastle Breweries building in 2008 will begin on Monday 19 August with a safety exclusion zone already in place.
With preparation work expected to take between eight and 10 weeks, the council and Thompsons have agreed Saturday 16 November 2024 will be "demolition day."
Local residents will need to leave their homes for up to four hours on demolition day but plans are being finalised for local community facilities to be made available for those who want to stay in the area.
The council have also confirmed that there will be a live stream of the controlled explosion to allow people to watch the controlled explosion as it happens.
Once the building is demolished and clear up finished the land will be used to build new affordable homes including some accessible properties as part of the wider regeneration of Walker. Full details are still to be confirmed but they will be built with energy efficiency in mind to help deliver the council’s ambition of providing more cleaner, green homes in the city.
'Demolition key to regeneration of Walker'
Cllr Paula Maines, Cabinet Member for a Living City, said: “The demolition of Hexham House is key to our regeneration plans for Walker but as with any work of this type safety is our primary concern.
“Although there have been some delays we have used the time to put plans in place to support local residents who may need help.
“I am delighted that we now have a confirmed date for the demolition. I am looking forward to watching the first controlled explosion in Newcastle for nearly two decades and hoping that local residents will join online to watch as the building comes down.
“I am also excited to see the regeneration of the area starting to take shape with plan for the development of up to 50 new high quality, environmentally friendly new homes on this site.”
'Paving the way for future generations'
Nick Shilling, Managing Director at Thompsons of Prudhoe said "We are thrilled to have been awarded this significant project by Newcastle City Council. Demolition work like this is not just about removing buildings, it's about paving the way for future generations and reshaping the urban landscape.
“By carefully dismantling this outdated structure, we're creating a blank canvas for new developments that will better serve the community. We're proud to bring our decades of experience to bear on this project, ensuring it's carried out with the utmost attention to safety, efficiency, and environmental considerations.
“This demolition marks an exciting step forward in the city's evolution, and we're honoured to play a crucial role in laying the groundwork for Newcastle's bright future."