A 1960s eyesore that has stood derelict for 30 years is finally set to be demolished to make way for new homes and business units.

The regeneration of Westmoreland House has been hailed a positive step forward in a long battle to improve the area by local campaigners, and marks another sign of changing times in Stokes Croft.

It is more than a year since developers PG Group first outlined their plans for the derelict site that includes the Grade II-listed Carriageworks – one of the West Country’s top ten most at risk heritage buildings.

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Now the Bristol-based company, which specialises in regeneration projects, has confirmed it is set to begin work on the site, although it has already been plagued with delays, and demolition has recently been halted due to the discovery of asbestos, which needs to be taken out under carefully controlled conditions.

There is planning permission to build 112 homes and 1000 sq m of commercial units on the site and the plan is to restore the historic Carriageworks façade as part of the regeneration.

Lori Streich is chair of the Carriageworks Action Group, which has been campaigning for years for a sensitive redevelopment of the area.

“We are really pleased that the development is going ahead. We know that PG have had a lot of problems with the site, which has proved more difficult than even we anticipated and it’s brilliant that they are ploughing on.

“Carriageworks Action Group remains committed to working with the developer to get the most out of the scheme. It’s obviously going to change the area and we want to make sure it changes it in the best way it can.”

The action group has played an integral part in championing the inclusion of space for small businesses at ground level and ensuring the site can never become a gated community, but one that benefits and integrates with neighbours.

The developer has said the removal of asbestos could take a few weeks and has tentatively suggested demolition will proceed early September.

Speaking about the complicated project, PG Group’s development director Stuart Gaiger said: “The Westmoreland House project will allow the company to continue breathing new life into the heart of the city.”

PG has recently completed the conversion of the 1970s-built Lewins Place office complex into 148 new homes.

The company says the development is expected to be ready for sale in summer 2020.

Read more: Notorious eyesore finally set to be demolished