Hotel demolition begins as asbestos removed

The demolition of a derelict hotel has begun after about 470 tonnes of asbestos were removed.

The dilapidated Golden Eagle hotel in Thornaby, on Teesside, has been empty for several years and subjected to arson and vandalism attacks.

Small excavator machines have started to take down the roof and top floors of the six-storey building, before plans to move on to the lower floors, Stockton Council said.

Councillor leader Lisa Evans said the structure had become an eyesore, saying the work marked an "important milestone for Thornaby". The demolition is expected to be complete in the autumn.

Work to remove asbestos and "strip out" the site began in August last year.

As part of the demolition, measures including dust suppression systems and noise monitoring have been put in place, according to the Labour-led local authority.

Once the upper floors have been demolished, the scaffolding will be removed and larger machinery brought in to demolish the ground and first floors until the structure is completely cleared for redevelopment.

The work is part of the Thornaby Town Deal, with £23.9m awarded by the previous government in 2021, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The eventual redevelopment of the site is being led by the town centre owner Proudreed Real Estate Ltd.

There are no confirmed plans for what might fill the site following demolition, however proposals for two drive-through restaurants were refused earlier this year over crime fears.

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