Fresh plans to demolish 'unsightly' BHS building

2 hours ago

Andrew SpenceLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — A steel frame will be used to hold up the Three Ships mural when the building behind it is demolished

BBC The front of a building with a large concrete mural of three ships. Behind the mural is a partly demolished building with steel and concrete pillars visible. — A steel frame will be used to hold up the Three Ships mural when the building behind it is demolished

New plans have been submitted to knock down an "unsightly" former department store in Hull city centre.

The building, which housed BHS until 2016, is due to make way for a mixed-use development of homes and retail units called Albion Square.

Planning permission was granted in 2022, but a fresh application to demolish the store is needed because of changes to the scheme, including the construction of a specialist steel frame to support the listed Three Ships mural.

Under the initial plans, Albion Square was due to be completed this year, but city councillors have been told construction is now likely to start in 2027 and could continue until 2031.

Demolition work on the department store began in 2022, with more than 600,000 tonnes of contaminated waste, including concrete blocks containing asbestos, being removed in the space of 21 months.

Documents prepared for the latest planning application state that the building is now a shell with "a very unsightly appearance", which is "having a negative impact" on the surrounding area.

Hull City Council A park with three paths and shrubbery and trees in the grass. Children can be seen enjoying the park with adults walking around and modern-looking buildings in the background. — An artist's impression of how Albion Square could look

The new plans state that a steel frame, to be installed by VINCI Construction, will hold the Three Ships mural in place while the building is demolished.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the application also takes into account a recently opened NHS Community Diagnostic Centre, which was not part of the initial design for Albion Square, but now takes up part of the site.

LDRS said a briefing paper, put before Hull City Council's Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Commission in February, gave updated timelines for the Albion Square project.

According to the paper, demolition is likely to be completed later this year, with a design for the scheme and planning approval to be obtained late 2026 or early 2027, and construction estimated to last from 2027 to 2031.

The council is seeking a lead development partner, with bidders invited to offer their vision and a financial appraisal.

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