DEMOLITION work has begun to pull down an outdated office block in Basing View.

Workers began tearing down the Norden House on Tuesday, in preparation for replacing it with a 45,000 square foot Grade A office space.

The building was previously an Innovation Centre, providing incubator start-up facilities and flexible business support.

It was bought by the borough council in 2018 with a view of redeveloping it, with funding from Enterprise M3.

Hughes and Salvidge has been appointed by the borough council to undertake the works, with contractors working onsite to follow the government's social distancing guidelines.

It comes as the latest in a series of redevelopment projects in Basing View, spearheaded by the Village Hotel, which opened earlier this year.

The building will be replaced by Neon, a building designed to deliver high quality, energy efficient and flexible office space to meet BREEAM excellent and EPC A standards.

The five-storey building will include a double height atrium and ground floor business lounge, with the hope of the first occupants moving in by 2022.

Cllr John Izett, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property, previously said: “It is good news that redevelopment of this gateway site will soon get under way and marks another important milestone in our transformation of Basing View

“I am particularly pleased with the sustainability and efficiency standards Neon is designed to achieve, as a council that is committed to tackling climate change.

“As the UK economy looks to start recovery, I am confident about Basingstoke's credentials as an attractive office location for the future.”

In addition, the new building will be equipped with showers, changing and drying facilities to encourage sustainable commuting, whilst a three-storey car park adjacent will have electric charging points and 57 cycle spaces.