LEADERS from across Redcar and Cleveland have reacted to a planning application to demolish Dorman Long Tower in South Bank, Redcar.

An application was submitted to tear down the 56 ft high tower later this month.

Carl Quartermain, Labour leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, started a petition and has campaigned to save the historic tower.

He said: "It's really disappointing that we're losing industrial heritage - part of the identity of the area. When you think about the potential for visitor economy that comes from heritage sites, not just Dorman Long but the Blast Furnace - it's the most iconic of structures."

READ MORE: Plans submitted to tear down historic Dorman Long Tower

Mr Quartermain has registered an objection to the application.

He added: "As far as I'm concerned it's industrial vandalism - there's definitely a culture war coming on.

"They've got no imagination there to be able to see the benefit of keeping, particularly the Blast Furnace, but structures of that kind - it's a testament to this area. And I'm forever angry about it."

Geoff Taylor, from the Save Our Steel campaign and Tees Steel Bridging the World group, said: "When we started Tees Steel Bridging the World in 2015, the concrete tower was designated as one of the items which would be very, probably reserved, in part because it was so expensive to demolish, but also because of the name on it Dorman Long.

"So, we've moved from a position where the South Tees Development Corporation, we're looking at making heritage an integral part of development. They looked at it from that perspective initially. They seem to have moved 180 degrees to not retaining any significant asset."

A spokesperson for Teesworks said: “A planning application has been submitted to Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council. We do not want to prejudice a formal process for a sensitive issue and we therefore won’t be commenting further until a decision has been reached by the planning committee.”

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