Norwich City Council has confirmed that tests on pipe materials at the Anglia Square demolition site show no presence of asbestos, following concerns raised by footage shared on social media. The council issued the statement on 8 April 2026 to address speculation after an urban explorer filmed themselves trespassing inside the former Hollywood Cinema building.
The individual’s video footage showed pipes with warning labels regarding asbestos, which prompted immediate public concern and led to a temporary pause in demolition work. The Health and Safety Executive, which is the national regulator for workplace health and safety, launched an investigation into the site after receiving complaints from the public.
In response to the situation, the council clarified that buildings at the site underwent thorough, independent asbestos surveys before any work began. The current demolition contractor, DSM Demolition Ltd, is specifically accredited to handle asbestos removal safely. Work was paused as a precaution, but the council has now confirmed through its testing that the materials in question are safe.
The redevelopment of the area is a £350 million project led by a partnership between the council and Aviva Capital Partners, with additional support from Homes England. The project aims to provide up to 1,100 new homes, as well as new commercial and community spaces in one of the most deprived areas in England.
The council has warned that illegal break-ins at the demolition site are extremely dangerous to the individuals involved. They also noted that these acts of trespassing risk delaying the progress of the redevelopment and could lead to increased costs for the project. The site is currently under strict management as work continues toward the target of starting construction on the new housing phase by July 2026.
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