Car park demolition delayed by Tesco legal action

The car park is leased to the council by the supermarket chain

The demolition of a car park in Mansfield has been delayed after landlord Tesco obtained a court order to carry out its own structural investigation.

Mansfield District Council said in September the Walkden Street car park would be fully demolished after a partial collapse on its upper deck.

The authority leases the building from the supermarket and is responsible for the repair and maintenance.

But the demolition, due to start on 20 October, has been delayed following legal action by the retailer, which has not provided the BBC with an explanation.

James Biddlestone said the council's main priority was safety

Council chief executive James Biddlestone said: "Demolition had been planned to start on 20 October but this was delayed by the council's landlord obtaining a court order to enter the site.

"This was done on 27 October and the council has invited the landlord to share the findings.

"In the meantime the detail of the method of demolition is currently being clarified with the contractor with a view to minimising disruption to local businesses and residents."

A still from a drone, which captured the extent of the collapse to the upper deck of the car park

The car park itself has been shut since February last year due to safety concerns after a condition survey highlighted several structural maintenance issues.

Three shops occupied by B&M, Bolek I Lolek Foods, and the British Heart Foundation remained open until the collapse at the beginning of September.

They have since been closed and remain inside the exclusion zone on Stockwell Gate.

Mr Biddlestone said: "The car park site will remain cordoned off and continue to be managed securely and safely while the legal and technical matters are resolved.

"The council's priority remains ensuring public safety, which is why the car park and immediate vicinity has been cordoned off since the incident.

"As this matter is now the subject to ongoing legal engagement, it would not be appropriate for the council to comment further at this stage."

The BBC has contacted Tesco but the supermarket chain has declined to comment.