Demolition of Corby steelworks former management building and office block under way

Work has started to demolish the brutalist eight-storey steelworks administrative block in Weldon Road, Corby to make way for a planned warehouse.

A scheme for 90 new homes on the historic administrative heart of the steelworks site in the shadow of the existing Tata buildings had been rejected by councillors, backed up by a planning inspector on appeal, on the grounds of it being a site wholly unsuitable for housing.

The iconic office block, abandoned for 20 years, is to make way for a new scheme for consideration by the new North Northamptonshire Council with plans for a 25m-high, 275,000 sq ft warehouse on the site.

Derby-based demolition experts Cawarden have barriered off the area as their machine works to pull down the reinforced concrete structure.

James Ross, a former Corby steelworker was watching the start of the work.

He said: "It's a sad day for me. I first came to this building in 1975 as a 16 year old looking for a job.

"I stayed for five years. It was part of Corby's heritage."

Click here to see the plans.