‘Heartbreaking’: Historic Dorman Long tower to be demolished after being stripped of conservation listing

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A much-loved 1950s industrial tower will be demolished in the early hours of Sunday morning after it was controversially stripped of its conservation listing by the new culture secretary. Plans to knock down the massive Dorman Long coal bunker in Redcar, Teesside, were stopped in their tracks this week after Historic England moved quickly to grant it Grade II status. “I would like to send a message to those that think trying to stop these developments is the right thing to do – our heritage does not lie in a rotting coal bunker,” he said. He added: “I have asked to salvage what is possible from the original Dorman Long lettering on the side … and to recreate a replica of the lettering to be used close to the site.” The South Tees Development Corporation, which was formed to redevelop the site – now known as Teesworks – confirmed controlled explosions would raze the structure between midnight and 2am on Sunday.