WWII bomb causes student accommodation development to be evacuated
Construction workers have been evacuated from a development in Wembley following the discovery of a live WWII bomb.
Ben Derbyshire, a director at architecture practice HTA Design, confirmed to Building that the bomb has been found at its Dexion House student accommodation scheme near Wembley Stadium.
HTA has been working on the development with contractor Donban Contracting Limited. Derbyshire said all workers had been safely evacuated.
A 400m cordon is now in place around the 50kg explosive - discovered during excavation works - and army bomb disposal experts have been called in, a spokesperson for the local authority Brent Council said.
Developer Quintain, who announced full-year result’s this morning, were also required to evacuate their offices, as were performers rehearsing for ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent show at Wembley Arena and nearby local residents.
The army captain in charge of the operation said the unexploded bomb posed a “genuine risk to life”.
Dexion House, scheduled for completion in June 2016, will be comprised of two buildings standing at 17 and 18 stories and providing 802 student accommodation bed spaces. The development will also feature a swimming pool, gym and multi use room, concierge and multiple retail opportunities at ground floor.
UPDATE 14:25: The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the bomb has now been safely removed from the site.
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