D-DAY is approaching for one of the town's biggest eye-sores following the appointment of the demolition contractor which will tear down the old Civic Centre building.

D-DAY is approaching for one of the town's biggest eye-sores following the appointment of the demolition contractor which will tear down the old Civic Centre building.

Woodbridge-based firm CDC Demolition has been selected as the firm which will bring the building down piece by piece.

Turnstone, the property firm which purchased the 12-storey building and hopes to convert the site into a multi-million pound shopping complex, today said demolition could begin early next month.

Preparations for demolition are set to begin later this month, the firm added.

In a statement a company spokesman said: “Turnstone, owner of the Westgate Centre, has appointed local contractor CDC Demolition Ltd to lead the demolition of the former Ipswich Borough Council Civic Offices, preparing the way for the regeneration of the one and a half acre site.

“CDC is based in Woodbridge and has worked on several projects in Ipswich, including recent demolition works as part of the Waterfront development.

“The company was appointed for its excellent track record and will work closely with Turnstone to ensure minimum disruption during the demolition process.

“A plan of works will be announced once finalised and demolition is due to start on site at the end of the month following preliminary preparation works.

“The spiral car park and nearby surface car park will remain operational throughout the demolition process.”

The company said it was still “considering options” for the development of the new Westgate Centre. It said it would be seeking to consult with the community on its proposals in the “near future”.

Turnstone specialises in the office, retail and leisure sectors and is both a development and investment company.

The company acquired the former Ipswich Borough Council headquarters in August last year and said it was in the process of considering the possible uses for the site.

It added that a full planning application would be submitted to Ipswich Borough Council later this year.

The Evening Star previously reported that Turnstone was in negotiations with several supermarkets to take up a major unit in the store. It has long been rumoured that Waitrose, Sainsbury and Tesco were interested in the site.

The revamped estate could also include restaurants, bars and other leisure facilities.

Turnstone previously said it hopes the shopping complex could be built in 2009 and 2010.

What should be built on the Civic Centre site? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk>