Calls for iconic 50-year-old tower block council offices in Fareham to be demolished
A councillor called for an iconic 50-year-old building in Fareham to be demolished.
Members of an overview and scrutiny meeting at Fareham Borough Council on January 6, 2025, discussed the merits of replacing the Civic Offices in Civic Way. The ten-storey office block is home to Fareham Borough Council and built around 1974.
A council officer said a total of £3million is “earmarked” in the Civic Office Asset Management Plan to maintain the building, which was part of the council’s capital strategy being discussed. Councillors have been told that £360,900 of the budget is needed to repair the roof.
In a bold move, Chairman Roger Bird (Con, Avenue) opened the discussion on whether the building should be maintained or demolished.
Cllr Bird said: “Why don’t we knock it down, and we can use the empty offices in Fareham Shopping Centre.
“The land is an asset and the building a liability.”
The council report stated that any plans for the unique building are closely aligned with the council’s regeneration masterplan for the town centre.
As part of Fareham town centre’s regeneration, the council also bought the Fareham Shopping Centre (FSC) in October 2023. The results of that public consultation, which includes partly demolishing the shopping centre and modernising it, will be published later this year.
Councillor David Hamilton (Lib-Dem, Wallington and Downend) agreed FSC could be used by the council to rehouse public sector employees, and the building could be knocked down and redeveloped.
Councillors also agreed that the government’s plans for local government reorganisation (LGR), which will abolish the current council and form a unitary authority, places the building’s future use into question.
Councillor Steve Dugan (Con, Hill Head) said: “The biggest issue is LGR and the role this building will play in that and what we need to do to take that forward.
“We need to keep using the building as we do.”
Councillor Paul Whittle (Con, Portchester Wicor) said: “LGR is a game-changer. If Fareham Borough Council was going to be here for years, I would push for a refurbishment. Instead, let it wash its face and keep the status quo.”
The building is home to between 300 and 400 public sector employees who also use the town centre.
Councillor Tina Ellis (Con, Avenue) warned that relocating employees to the town centre area would also have an impact on regeneration plans. She said: “It is not an easy fix and needs looking at carefully.”
Planning officer Richard Jolley said the results of a feasibility report for the civic offices, along with costings for the next three to five years and for the long term, 20-25 years, will soon be available.
Councillors agreed the results of the forthcoming feasibility studies were key to any decisions. The committees’ comments will now be considered by the executive at a meeting on Wednesday, January 7.