Work set to start on Biart Place site

Rugby Borough Council has appointed Manchester-based company O'Gara to dismantle the tower blocks and apartment block on the site, and demolish the garages.

The council has now secured prior approval for the deconstruction project and O'Gara plan to move on to the site by the end of January.

The project looks set to take up to a year to complete, with O'Gara first securing the site before erecting full-height scaffold towers at the blocks complete with sheeted, flame-retardant covers to reduce both noise and dust.

The firm also intends to use further dust reduction measures throughout the deconstruction process, with both tower blocks being taken down floor by floor.

The approval for the project also includes restrictions to on-site working hours to minimise disruption to nearby residents.

Cllr Emma Crane, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for communities and homes, said: "This work marks the next step in the council's ambitious plans to regenerate the Biart Place site and build modern council homes for our tenants and affordable housing for residents.

"The deconstruction process requires considerable planning and expertise, and in O'Gara we have appointed one of the country's leading specialists in its field.

"While inevitably the work entails generating a degree of noise and dust, we have been assured both can be kept to a minimum to avoid inconvenience to residents."

Councillors approved plans for the regeneration of the Biart Place site in September 2018 after surveys revealed both tower blocks were beyond economic repair.

The council intends to invite specialist housing development companies to submit design proposals for the site in the coming months.

For more information about the regeneration of Biart Place, visit www.rugby.gov.uk/highriseregeneration