THE DEMOLITION of the former South Gloucestershire Council offices in Thornbury to make way for retirement homes has begun.

Churchill Retirement Living, who are to construct 57 flats and five cottages on the site, have begun work on the site, following the approval of planning permission in May.

A substantial amount of noise has been reported by residents near the site, as well as across Thornbury, since the work began.

Work on the site has been underway for the past couple of weeks, with a further six to seven weeks of work expected before the former offices are fully demolished.

The retirement homes are expected to be completed by summer 2019.

Despite a planning application being submitted back in 2015, the development was held up after South Gloucestershire failed to deliver a decision in the requested time, resulting in a “non-determination” verdict, which the developer subsequently appealed against.

Alan Perry, Churchill’s regional managing director for the Midlands, said: “We’re pleased to have begun the demolition phase for our new development.

“We already have a number of successful developments across the country and we’re delighted to be bringing this new development to Thornbury. 

“Unfortunately a certain amount of noise is unavoidable during the demolition process, but we will use our best efforts to ensure that any inconvenience or disturbance to neighbours is kept to an absolute minimum during this time.”

For more information on the development, visit www.churchillretirement.co.uk.