Demolition of the Highways tower blocks and maisonettes in Killingbeck has begun this week, marking the first step towards the development of new social housing on the site.
Following positive engagement work with the few remaining tenants on site, the flats and maisonettes are now vacant allowing for the demolition work to start. Connell Brothers Ltd have been appointed to carry out the demolition programme and are expected to remain on site until May 2024. Demolition will take place on site during the set hours of 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 1.00pm on Saturday.
Utilising high reach demolition equipment, the contractors will remove each floor of the tower blocks until the buildings are low enough for demolition by traditional excavators. Extensive measures have been put in place by the contractors and council to ensure that any disruption will be minimised for local residents. The redevelopment of the Highways tower block site will allow the council to deliver high density modern, energy efficient social housing more suited to meeting the city’s housing needs, with final details of the future development on site to be confirmed once demolition is complete.
Having explored all options for the 132 homes currently located on the site the council concluded that the two tower blocks and attached maisonettes should be replaced due to the current housing stock on site exceeding its design life and refurbishment of the homes to the required standard was not possible. The decision to redevelop the site and deliver new social housing stock is a part of Leeds City Council’s commitment to provide good quality, affordable homes across the city and for them to be safe and feel safe.
Speaking on site Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing said:
“It is good to see the demolition underway on site, the removal of the blocks and maisonettes will allow a clear site for the development of new energy efficient social housing in the future. I would like to reassure local residents that we will do everything we can to ensure we reduce disruption and thank them for their understanding.”
Mark Riley, Connell Brothers’ commercial manager said:
“We are very pleased to be spearheading the development of the Highways site. As a contractor which specialises in tower block demolition projects, we look forward to fulfilling the role of Principal Contractor for the demolition phase of this exciting project for Leeds City Council that aims to deliver new social housing for the Killingbeck area.”
