Sunderland Civic Centre

Project Overview

MGL Demolition and MGL Earthworks played a crucial role in redeveloping the former Sunderland Civic Centre. Our work prepared the site for Vistry North East to build 265 new homes, in line with Sunderland City Council’s plan to double the city centre’s population. This project is part of an ambitious regeneration programme to create a vibrant new community in Sunderland.

As part of this project, the 1970s Civic Centre, multistorey car park, and adjoining footbridge were dismantled. Works included asbestos removal, soft strip, and floor-by-floor and remote demolition.

Challenges

This project involved a large, complex earthworks and remediation scheme, including bulk material breakout, processing, haulage, and placement. Despite numerous chemical and geotechnical challenges, the brownfield site was successfully remediated before the handover. Careful handling of on-site aggregates ensured they met required standards.

The main complexity of these works was the bulk volumes of material that required processing, stockpiling, classifying, and then placing, all within the confines of the site boundary. To overcome this challenge, the team used 3D digital terrain modelling to manage and forecast stockpile locations and their intended re-use locations.

Summary

This project was completed on time, within budget, and received positive feedback from the client.