THE final phase of demolition and remediation of the former police headquarters in Irwell Street will begin early next year.

The work will take 25 weeks to complete with 16 weeks on site.

The decision was approved at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday night which was attended by residents of the street where the site is located.

Work to demolish the building began in early 2015, but has been drawn out due to the presence of asbestos, the proximity of the structure to residents’ houses and the fact that two different companies have been carrying out the demolition.

The report stated: “Although the site is secured the site potentially presents a health and safety risk due to the amount of unmanaged waste material stock piled this risk would be mitigated and addressed by progressing and accepting the current tender submission.”

Around one million pounds has been spent on the building, including this final phase of demolition, since the site was acquired by the council in 2011.

Conservative group leader Cllr James Daly asked why the council is paying for all the remediation work rather than a potential developer.

In response, director of business growth Paul Patterson, said: “The fact is that the site in its current condition means developers won’t necessarily show interest. From our perspective we need to get it into a condition where it could be developed.”

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, who presented the report, said that the money invested into the site will ultimately be returned to the council’s reserves.

Council leader Rishi Shori added: “What we are concerned with is that there are a few people who live a few hundred yards away.”

One resident raised concerns about security at the site while it is vacant referring to the presence of Travellers.

She said: “We have concerns with the leisure centre car park. Hopefully the chain link fences will be strong enough.”

The empty building was bought by Bury Council with the aim of knocking it down and redeveloping the site, including Castle Leisure Centre, with a major food store.

It was hoped that the proceeds could be used to build a new leisure centre above the Q Park in Knowsley Street.

However, the council says there is no longer any demand from supermarkets for the site.

Before the meeting, Cllr Shori hinted at the possibilities of the site's future including residential and leisure facilities.

He said: “This is a strategic site in our masterplan for the town centre, and we will be looking at the best opportunities to make the most of its location."