After much deliberation, the redevelopment of the BBC\'s Broadcasting House in Portland Square, London, is going ahead using Portland Roach from Bowers Quarry and Portland Whitbed from New Independent Quarry, both operated by Albion Stone. It was not inevitable that limestone from the Dorset island of Portland would be used. The design team, led by architect Sir Richard MacCormac, did consider using imported stone. But Sir Richard particularly liked the shell structure in Bowers Roach and decided the Independent Whitbed complemented it admirably.

Using the stone in combination with glass, Sir Richard aims to create a building that echoes the original Broadcasting House and is also sympathetic to John Nash\'s All Souls Church that flanks it. As Sir Richard puts it: "A tripartite conversation engages Broadcasting House, the new development and our neighbour, the church." The project is planned in two phases, both of which have now started. The first involves the refurbishment of the existing Portland stone Broadcasting House, being carried out by PAYE Stonework & Restoration and should finish in 2005. The second, the construction of the new building, the Egton Wing, is due to be completed in 2008.

There will be about 450m3 of Portland stone in the new building. Some of it will be sawn into 75mm thicknesses for delivery to Techcrete, who are pre-casting it on to concrete. Some is going to Easton Masonry, who are dealing with the traditional, 75mm hand-fixed element. And some will be 50mm rainscreen for use by German company Mero Stone, using a Fischer Fixings system.

The original Broadcasting House was designed by Lieutenant Colonel Val Myer in 1932. Various extensions and alterations have taken place over the years until now it was felt a redesign of the site was called for.

The changes will enable the site to house all the BBC\'s national and international news operations. It will contain six TV studios and 140 acoustic spaces for radio. There will also be public spaces with performance zones, cafes, exhibition areas and a children\'s media workshop.

Tony Porter, the newly appointed operations director of Albion Stone, says: "The order is a great boost to the island\'s [Portland\'s] stone industry and demonstrates that having made the right investment in the latest cutting technology we can offer precision stonework to the highest international standards."