Former ICI office block set for demolition | Offices.org.uk

Former ICI office block set for demolition

Posted on by John Cronin

A large office block in County Durham that was once used by chemical conglomerate ICI is set to be demolished.

Billingham HouseBillingham House (pictured – credit) is a large, multi-storey office building that was once the headquarters for chemicals company ICI. The building however has stood empty for over a decade and in recent years has been an easy target for arsonists and vandals.

The building, which was originally constructed in 1959, is owned by a company called Bizzy B Management Ltd. However, Stockton Council recently took control of the building after undertaking legal proceedings and are now hoping that the current owners will bring forward plans to redevelop the brownfield site.

A £400,000 grant has been secured from One North East, the Regional Development Agency, to help fund the demolition of the imposing office block. Director of Business and Industry, Ian Williams, said: “Billingham House was once a thriving office block at the heart of ICI’s Tees Valley operations, but sadly the last decade has seen it fall into disrepair.

Once cleared, Stockton Council aim to market the site as a potential new business hub for various process engineering, life-sciences and biotechnology businesses. Councillor Bob Cook said: “Securing the funding from One North East is welcome news and will help us work with the owners to bring the site back into use as a valuable asset for businesses and the local community.”

Plans submitted in 2007 to convert the offices into flats fell through. The site does has outline planning permission for an office development. Demolition work is expected to commence in early 2011 after the work is put out to tender.

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