Contractors to demolish 'entire' Sheffield University building after further reviews

Work began last month to bulldoze part of the university’s new Faculty of Social Sciences (FoSS) building, on the junction of Whitham Road and Northumberland Road, after problems were found with the foundations of the site.

Construction company BAM originally stated it would need to “partly dismantle some of the current structural frame” then rebuild it – but in an update yesterday it revealed that the entire structure will now be torn down after further reviews into the technical difficulties of the work.

The contractor said: “The conclusion was that the best solution is to deconstruct the entire building before restarting piling and construction. This decision was taken with our piling experts and the supply chain companies responsible for these aspects of the scheme.”

The decision is bound to cause yet more heartache for those living near to the site who have been locked in an ongoing battle with BAM and Sheffield University over the ‘unbearable’ noise caused by the demolition which they described as like having a “nightmare neighbour” living next door.

Frustrated resident Conor O’Callaghan, who lives nearby on Marlborough Road, staged a peaceful protest at the site on Friday in a last-ditch effort to get their attention.

In response, BAM once again apologised to its ‘neighbours’ and said it was “truly sorry” for the disruption caused.

It said: “We are truly sorry that this is so disruptive for the neighbours. We are acutely conscious of the impact this has on those around us, in particular on a very close group of neighbours. We do apologise for this.

"We have concluded that the best solution is to deconstruct the entire building before re-building and have advised the residents that these works will conclude in October. Re-piling will be complete in early 2021, after which operations will be much quieter.

“We are doing what we can to offset this inconvenience and are restricting the times we are operating the concrete breaking machine which is the noisiest part of deconstruction. We are also making available temporary office accommodation so people can work there in quieter conditions if they wish.

“The technical difficulties that have led to the present situation are highly unusual. Everyone’s aim has been to create a building that the university and surrounding community will be proud of and that improves on what was there before.

"Ultimately we will achieve this, just later than originally planned, and will keep doing what we can to reduce disruption in the meantime.”

The problems have pushed back the expected completed date of the new £65million hub into 2022, around a year later than planned.

BAM said there are “obviously financial implications” brought about by the delay, but "these will be worked through carefully over time.”

“The immediate priority is to deliver what the University is expecting. The commercial and legal aspects of the scheme are being discussed by all the parties and we hope these will be resolved that way,” it added.

Editor's message:

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The Star is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions for unlimited access to Sheffield news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.