Photo guide on how the Beech Hill tower blocks in Halifax are being demolished

The imposing tower blocks on the Beech Hill estate which have stood empty for more than 10 years are being demolished - but how is it being done?
By Ian Hirst
Published 10th May 2019, 15:08 BST
Scott Boyd, Delivery Surveyor at Together Housing Group; Andy Fisk, Director of Rhodars Demolition Division; Dave Procter, Chair of Together Housing Group; and Mark Thompson, Director of Regeneration and Strategy at Calderdale Council.Scott Boyd, Delivery Surveyor at Together Housing Group; Andy Fisk, Director of Rhodars Demolition Division; Dave Procter, Chair of Together Housing Group; and Mark Thompson, Director of Regeneration and Strategy at Calderdale Council.
Scott Boyd, Delivery Surveyor at Together Housing Group; Andy Fisk, Director of Rhodars Demolition Division; Dave Procter, Chair of Together Housing Group; and Mark Thompson, Director of Regeneration and Strategy at Calderdale Council.

Rhodar, a leading specialist enabling works provider, are in charge of demolishing the three 18 storey tower blocks.

So how will the demolition be done?

Up to 80 Rhodar operatives have worked on the internal strip out and subsequent top down deconstruction of the tower blocks, along with a 65-metre super high reach excavator, of which only a handful exist in the UK.

Up to 80 Rhodar operatives have worked on the internal strip out and subsequent top down deconstruction of the tower blocks.Up to 80 Rhodar operatives have worked on the internal strip out and subsequent top down deconstruction of the tower blocks.
Up to 80 Rhodar operatives have worked on the internal strip out and subsequent top down deconstruction of the tower blocks.
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The excavator will remove approximately 10 storeys from each block, allowing further high reach kit to demolish the remaining structures.

Four excavators ranging from 21 to 40 tonnes will be on hand to process site materials and the existing concrete and rubble will be recycled on site into a specific engineered fill material that will then be used to create a development platform for the next level of regeneration.

This will contribute to a significantly reduced carbon footprint for the project by minimising vehicle movements in and around the project area.

Rhodar will also utilise special water jets attached directly to the demolition equipment in addition to state-of-the-art mist cannons to mitigate dust migration generated from the demolition works.

This has been done along side a 65-metre super high reach excavator, of which only a handful exist in the UK.This has been done along side a 65-metre super high reach excavator, of which only a handful exist in the UK.
This has been done along side a 65-metre super high reach excavator, of which only a handful exist in the UK.
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The site clearance is expected to take 64 weeks with main demolition works commencing in January 2019.

What the scheme will bring?

The project will see 113 construction jobs created. A total of 114 new homes will be built of which 57 affordable homes will be created to meet local housing needs.

Cost of the scheme

The excavator will remove approximately 10 storeys from each block, allowing further high reach kit to demolish the remaining structures.The excavator will remove approximately 10 storeys from each block, allowing further high reach kit to demolish the remaining structures.
The excavator will remove approximately 10 storeys from each block, allowing further high reach kit to demolish the remaining structures.

The total delivery cost of the project is £21.813 million, this will be funded through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Calderdale Council, other public sector funding including from Homes England, and a contribution from Together Housing Association.

Related topics:HalifaxCalderdale Council