A Victorian chimney in Leeds – seen as a significant local landmark by campaigners – is to be shortened due to safety fears.
The 33-metre structure, which is more than 150 years old, is part of the Grade II-listed Stonebridge Mills in Farnley, which is being turned into homes as part of a £25m redevelopment.
Those involved in the assessment of the chimney reportedly said it was “severely damaged”, cracked on four sides, and warned that the top of it needed to be removed “on the grounds of public safety”. Instead, they plan to reduce the height of the chimney by six metres to 27 metres.
Leeds Civic Trust, one of several groups opposed to its removal, said the decision made at a Leeds city council planning meeting on Thursday was “disappointing” but they “reluctantly accept” health and safety concerns may have been insurmountable.
Martin Hamilton, the trust’s director, said: “Leeds Civic Trust supports the Stonebridge Mills scheme as a whole. The development is a sympathetic blend of old and new. Our objection to the dismantling of the chimney was based on a view that all options to keep it should be considered first.”
He added: “We reluctantly accept that it may not be possible to overcome health and safety concerns.”
The Green party councillor David Blackburn said the local landmark was the “gateway” to Farnley and Wortley.
“It’s part of our history going back nearly 200 years and we’ve lost far too much of the old landmarks in this area,” he added.
Trish Smith, a Conservative councillor, said that while she accepted the safety needs of the works, it was “worthy of being saved intact for future generations”.
She said: “The Victorians didn’t always build to exacting standards and not everything was ornate; however, this was a real landmark in the area and it’s a shame an engineering solution couldn’t be found to preserve this important piece of heritage.”
The chief planning officer’s report said the plans “seek to retain the chimney while implementing structural safety works to ensure its long-term viability whilst preventing a risk to the general public”.
It added: “It is acknowledged the proposal does involve alterations to the chimney and thus creates a degree of harm upon the setting of the listed buildings, through reducing its overall height.”
A spokesperson for Leeds city council said: “Although the proposal involves the removal of only the top section of the Stonebridge Mills chimney – which will allow the rest of the structure to be safely retained and restored – it is recognised that this application has been of particular interest to the local community due to the prominent nature of the chimney.
“It is acknowledged that the proposal will have an impact on the setting of listed buildings. However, this impact will be limited given the majority of the chimney will be restored, repaired and retained, ensuring its long-term preservation.
“Although the previously-approved plans for the development as a whole included the retention of the chimney at its current height, the structural issues that have since come to light mean that the reduction is required to remove a health and safety risk.”
