Lovell has started work on a key stage of Freebridge Community Housing's £30 million regeneration programme for the Hillington Square estate in King's Lynn.

The transformation of the 1960s estate, which has been under way since August 2013, has reached an important milestone as work begins to demolish a five-storey block that forms part of Valentine House. The block of nine flats is being brought down in stages with the main section being demolished by a long-reach excavator which will ‘nibble’ at the property and demolish it from the top down. The final flats, adjoining the part of Valentine House which is to remain, will be carefully demolished by hand.

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The removal of the building will dramatically transform the appearance of the estate from Millfleet, giving a more open, welcoming feel.

Freebridge’s chief executive Tony Hall said: "I am delighted that this next stage of the work to regenerate Hillington Square is under way. The opening up of the estate with this demolition is a very exciting part of a redevelopment that will make a real difference to the area and the town of King's Lynn as a whole."

Lovell began work in summer 2013 on the regeneration programme for Hillington Square. Fifty-eight flats at the Greyfriars and Millfleet Houses are undergoing extensive internal and external refurbishment in the first phase of work which is due to be completed later this year. Work carried out so far has included the disconnection and removal of existing utility services, the internal strip-out of flats, foundation piling for new stairways /and the demolition of stores, bin sheds and sections of walkway bridges.

(CD/MH)