The Three Ships mural cannot be retained as part of the Albion Square development following the results of a specialist survey, which has revealed that the structure contains dangerously high levels of asbestos that cannot be removed prior to the demolition of the site.

The survey, produced by specialist national asbestos testing company The Testing Lab, has found that the development is “heavily contaminated” with a high-risk asbestos product, which is also evident in the core structure of the building.

Sprayed asbestos coating has been identified within the block and beam floor structure of the building, which is connected to the mural. Because of the levels and location of contamination, the mural cannot be temporally removed and then replaced, as this would contravene HSE legislation and would pose a risk to public safety.

Councillor Daren Hale, portfolio holder for regeneration and economic development, said: “I’m desperately disappointed that the findings of this asbestos survey has discovered the Council cannot retain the Three Ships Mural as part of the Albion Square development.

“It was always the council’s intention to retain the mural as part of the development, with specialist consultants brought onto the project at an early stage to explore ways in which it could have been retained. A detailed report was due to go to Cabinet which would have presented how the mural could have been temporally removed and replaced, but this latest survey has revealed that those options are no longer possible.

“We’ve only just received the findings of this survey and have had to act quickly in the interests of public safety.”

The survey, from The Testing Lab, reads: “The former British Home Store site in Hull contains a higher risk product known as sprayed coating. The building is heavily contaminated with this asbestos spray coating to an extent that it appears structurally impossible to remove under normal controlled measures. Sprayed coating residues have been identified within the hollow cavities of the block and beam floor structure. At present it is not possible to remove or access these blocks to remediate the asbestos material without disturbing the structural integrity of the building. 

“The City of Hull has planned to remove and preserve the murals from the BHS building however, at present, we cannot confirm that cavities around these structures are or will be asbestos free to the extent that the murals can be removed without risk of asbestos fibre release.”

A report was due to be presented to Cabinet that would have explored ways of temporally removing the mural whilst demolition of the site took place.

These options cannot be considered due to the results of the asbestos report, which could only have taken place at this stage of the development once the internal structure of the building had been exposed.

Councillor Hale continued: “As disappointed as we are that we cannot retain the mural, we are more determined than ever that a version of this iconic Alan Boyson design will feature as part of this incredible city centre development. We will be working with artists to explore ways in which the Three Ships design can be reproduced, and remain an iconic feature of the city centre.”

The council will seek consent for the demolition of the remaining buildings, including the Three Ships mural.

A detailed discussion with members of the planning committee and senior planning officers will take place on 16 October to inform them of the subsequent applications. 

The Albion Square development site was allocated in the Local plan, a development brief was produced for the site and it is identified within the City Centre Supplementary Development Document Design Guide for the city centre as a key development site. These further reports and applications are central to enabling the site to come forward for development in a manner that respects the heritage value of the site whilst enabling a much-needed development site to create jobs, homes and leisure opportunities for the city.

The £120m development is due to be complete in Spring 2023.