Circus Street: The transformation begins

The demolition of the old market building at Circus Street is set to begin, as developers arrive at the site to transform it into a learning, business, and residential hub.

Developers say the scheme will regenerate the area, injecting £200 million into the economy and create 400 jobs.

The project includes a new University of Brighton library and academic building with a publicly-accessible exhibition space, 142 new homes (including 28 affordable), 450 student bedrooms, The Dance Space - South East Dance's new home for dance, and 38,000 sq ft of new office space, plus workshops offering creative businesses start up accommodation and room to grow.

Partners in the scheme celebrated on Wednesday, as the first machinery arrived to start the demolition of the old municipal market building. Dorton Group, the demolition contractors, have 30 years of experience in demolition and 40 employees, many of them local. Demolition will be completed towards end of 2015 and construction will start early in 2016.

All timber from the demolition works will be used for board making and bio-mass fuel. All steel will be re-used and all hard core and concrete will be kept on site to be used on the site construction of the new Circus Street development. Any waste will go to a transfer station for further sorting.

Cathedral Group and Dorton Group met with neighbours last week to update them on upcoming works and answer questions.

Richard Upton, chief executive of Cathedral Group (Holdings) Ltd, said: 'Our neighbours are our first priority and we are working with our partners and contractors to be the most considerate builders in the city to date, working to the best possible standards.

'We are very excited to start work here - our ambition is to transform the area into a vibrant new quarter of the city, bringing cultural, economic and educational benefits to an area in need of some love. Our goal is to make Circus Street the go-to place for Brighton's creative individuals, innovative business start-ups, students and nearby residents. This will become a reality in just two years.'

Cllr Warren Morgan, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: 'The council is proud to have played its part in helping to bring regeneration to the Circus Street area. It's great to see this major project get under way which will deliver much needed homes as well as employment and community benefits, alongside student accommodation that will ease the pressure on the city's housing stock.'

Anne Boddington, from the University of Brighton, said the development will 'greatly enhance our educational offer at the university', and Jamie Watton, artistic director for South East Dance, said it will be, 'a sustainable and permanent home for dance in the city'.

The council car park on Carlton Hill is now permanently closed and all parking bays on the east side of Circus Street will be closed permanently and there will be some temporary parking bay closures at key times during the demolition on Morley Street. Works traffic will access the site by entering from the A23 and onto Circus Street.

For more information on the project, visit: www.circusstreetbrighton.com