Work has started to prepare the unauthorised six‑storey apartment block in Job’s Yard, Kettering for demolition, North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) has confirmed. The building, constructed by Marcus Fielding, the sole director of Michigan Construction Limited, was previously ordered to be removed by the High Court.
Access secured and site preparations under way
Contractors working on behalf of the council have fenced the site and placed skips for debris as they begin clearing the front boundary wall to improve access. The road between Meeting Lane and Dalkeith Place has been closed off again for safety reasons while preparatory work continues.
A council spokesman said the demolition contractor has "taken control of the site" and that the fencing is in place to protect the public while operations proceed. Residents neighbouring the development have been notified of planned activity under Section 80 and Section 81 of the Building Act 1984.
"Remove whole building down to ground floor concrete slab"
Background and legal context
The block was subject to a High Court demolition order issued in November 2023. Despite that order, work on the structure continued, with additional walls, windows and steel elements added. The council says the completed elements are so unsafe that the removal will have to be carried out almost "brick by brick" rather than by wholesale demolition.
North Northamptonshire Council says it has taken the lead in bringing the building down after the owner did not comply with earlier instructions. The authority has previously stated an expectation that the building should be razed to ground level, reflecting the High Court direction.
Local reaction and practical implications
Local residents have been sent letters explaining the proposed demolition work and the scope of what will be removed. One nearby resident, Pete McLaren of Job's Court, welcomed the move, saying:
"It’s about time. The sooner it’s gone, the better."
The council anticipates the demolition will take several months because of the condition of the structure and the need to protect the public and adjacent properties. Work so far has included placing skips and removing the front boundary brick wall to provide access for machinery and personnel.
- Site secured: fencing installed and skips on site
- Road safety: cordon between Meeting Lane and Dalkeith Place
- Legal basis: actions carried out under directions linked to the Building Act 1984 and a previous High Court order
| Event | Date / status |
|---|---|
| High Court demolition order | November 2023 |
| Council begins pre-demolition works (access, skips, fencing) | July 2026 (current) |
Residents and road users in the immediate area are advised to follow local signage and any temporary diversions while the council's contractors carry out the work. North Northamptonshire Council has said it remains committed to progressing the demolition as soon as it is reasonably able to do so.
The removal of the Job’s Yard block marks a significant step in enforcing building and safety regulations locally after a prolonged dispute between the developer and authorities. Given the complex and hazardous state of the structure, the demolition will be managed carefully to minimise risk to the public and nearby properties.
