Controversial construction projects

From demolishing famous buildings such as the ITV Studios to huge new build projects such as the H2H Saltend low-carbon hydrogen production plant, a lot of important projects were given the go-ahead in February.

Early on in the month, Micheal Gove approved proposals to redevelop the former ITV Studios. The 50-year-old landmark – once home to popular TV shows like The Graham Norton Show, Blind Date, and On The Buses – is being replaced by two office blocks of 26 and 13 storeys. The £700 million scheme also includes cafes and restaurants, cultural venues, and green spaces with 40% of the site becoming public realm.

See the full story here.

South Staffordshire Council has ordered the owners of Crooked House pub to rebuild the famously wonky inn. It caught fire in August last year and was demolished two days later.

Since then, campaigners have been fighting to get the 18th-century pub restored to its former glory. Originally built in 1765 as a farmhouse, mining in the area during the early 19th century caused one side of the building to gradually sink.

Read more on Ground Engineering.

Micheal Gove approved plans for a new 1,468-capacity Category C prison at HMP Grendon at the end of January. Buckinghamshire Council has refused the plans due to the project’s impact on the local environment, but its decision was appealed by the Ministry of Justice.

Work is expected to begin on the 67,000 sqm complex in late 2024/early 2025. It will be made up of six four-storey house blocks as well as other amenity buildings.

Discover more about the prison appeal here.

H2H Saltend, a low-carbon hydrogen production plant with carbon capture, has had planning approved by East Riding Council. The 600-megawatt plant will be located at the Saltend Chemicals Park and will help to reduce the park’s emissions by up to one third. Nearly 900,000 tonnes of CO2 will be captured and stored below the North Sea (equivalent to taking about 500,000 cars off the road annually).

Read more here.

As these construction and infrastructure projects continue to unfold into next year, it will be interesting to see the progress and the impact on the built environment.