Work resumes on Chapel Walk

A change in contractors and asbestos problems have delayed progress on creating a £4.6 million student apartment scheme – a project that started in September 2017.

Businesses reported big losses in trade and spoke out about the scaffolding bringing more break-ins, drug use and other anti-social behaviour while blocking them from view of Fargate, which left some shop owners considering closing.

Glen Harding, CEO of Head Office 3 – the contractors working on the site – said a deal had finally been agreed to provide the funding needed to continue the work.

He said: “The framework for the façade is now going up and most of the façade will have the internal frame boarded by November 1. The windows are mostly manufactured and starting to be installed over the next few weeks.

“It is really encouraging to hear the positive news. Traders can see something happening at last and the end in sight for this long-awaited scheme.”

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for business and development, said: “We are happy that work has restarted so that the external walls can be completed and the scaffold then start to come down. We will continue to keep a close eye on things.”