Demolition asbestos fears dismissed by council

14 hours ago

Owen SennittNorfolk, Norwich

The Hollywood Cinema building at Anglia Square has been partially demolished

BBC The Hollywood Cinema building at Anglia Square in Norwich has been partially demolished and has had the inside exposed by the work — The Hollywood Cinema building at Anglia Square has been partially demolished

A council has confirmed hazardous materials were removed from a shopping complex being demolished after images shared online caused concern.

Norwich City Council has conducted further inspections for asbestos at Anglia Square due to what it called "rumours" being spread on social media.

Images posted by an urban explorer trespassing inside the former Hollywood Cinema building sparked an online debate after they showed piping with warning signs stating they contained asbestos, which can cause health problems.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) received complaints but council officials said tests proved the dangerous substance was not present at the site.

A spokeswoman for the authority said: "We want to correct any misinformation and false speculation that has been circulating in recent days.

"We can confirm that test samples from the pipe lagging proves there is no asbestos present.

"This followed two separate and thorough inspections, and removal of asbestos where identified, before demolition work began – which were confirmed and put on record."

Anglia Square is being razed to make way for 1,100 homes, and retail and leisure space

DSM Demolition, which is carrying out the work for the council, began knocking down Anglia Square in November.

Complaints have since been received by the HSE, which regulates building sites.

The complaints related to a dust cloud that covered surrounding streets in a plume of dust last month.

Businesses were forced to close and people complained it affected their breathing, but the HSE said this was a matter for the council.

Members of the public have also raised concerns about asbestos with the HSE.

It said investigators had visited the site before demolition work began and the council has submitted a new report to the regulator.

A large cloud of dust covered parts of Magdalen Street in Norwich last month

Supplied A person wearing a dark jacket and hat walks across the road as a haze of dust lingers in the air obscuring the demolition site behind it — A large cloud of dust covered parts of Magdalen Street in Norwich last month

Norwich City Council has warned against people breaking into the demolition site.

"Any unlawful break-ins are not only dangerous to the individuals involved – they also risk impacting the progress of the project and costing more money," the council said.

"Demolition work will safely continue on site so it can be prepared for the delivery of much needed new and affordable homes for our city and our residents."

Anglia Square which was built in the 1960s, is being razed to make way for 1,100 homes being built on the site.