DEMOLITION work at the former Bowyers site is moving at pace, as disused factory buildings are cleared to make way for the £46m Innox Riverside leisure park development.

The site is being cleared for an eight-screen Cine-world cinema, Morrisons store, six restaurants and a pub, with contractors, Matthews, working quickly since beginning demolition at the end of October.

Developer Prorsus had to carry out an asbestos survey before the former factory’s buildings were knocked down. The finished plans will see listed buildings on the site refurbished to provide new restaurant and leisure units.

Wiltshire Council rejected Prorsus’ plans for the Bowyers site in 2012 with the developer appealing against the decision. In January, following a three-day hearing, the Planning Inspectorate approved the scheme.

Angus Horner, of Prorsus, said: “The Matthews Team is making steady progress at Innox Riverside and it is great to see the Bowyers site preparation works progressing.

“The engineering works and bulk of the younger factory buildings have been demolished. The listed buildings are of course being retained.

“Demolition will not be fully complete until the end of November. This has taken longer than originally expected due to the discovery of much more asbestos than was found via an earlier survey.

“This is not surprising for buildings of the vintage that are on site, but it has caused delay.

“Public safety and proper remediation have been of paramount importance throughout.”

Works for the footpath diversion across the site have been carried out, while the technical work for the highways design is well advanced.

Once demolition has been completed the contractors will need to crush material to improve the level of the site before enabling work can commence. Richard Haynes, of Morrisons, said: “We are pleased to have the demolition contractors mobilised and the site largely cleared. Local residents’ ongoing support and interest in the project is much appreciated.”

Prorsus is yet to reveal the date Innox Riverside is expected to open.