Court ruling restarts demolition process at former ICI headquarters.
A Court of Appeal ruling has finally paved the way for the demolition of a “derelict eyesore” in the North East of England which has been empty for more than 10 years.
Billingham House, the derelict nine-storey former ICI headquarters in Stockton, has been the subject of lengthy legal wrangling which has prevented Stockton Council pressing ahead with its demolition – until now.
The council had taken the decision to demolish Billingham House, originally built in the 1950s, after its owners, Bizzy B Management, had allowed it to become a derelict eyesore over several years. Bizzy B had earlier failed to take steps to prevent access to the site by making it secure.
Contractors had moved in to prepare for demolition last September after the High Court had previously ruled the council was legally entitled to proceed with the work. But after substantial preparations had been carried out, work was halted after Bizzy B was granted a hearing to reconsider their application for permission to appeal.
A Court of Appeal ruling in London last month finally cleared the way for dismantling to begin.
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