AS a local resident, I am very disturbed by the prospect of Dunelm House – a splendid building in Durham City – being demolished by the university, which ought to be protecting our architectural heritage (Echo, Jan 7). The fact that the university has failed to maintain the building properly is irrelevant.

Equally disturbing is the way that the news emerged right at the end of the university term, when everyone was busy with Christmas and New Year preparations, despite the fact that the university had applied for a Certificate of Immunity from Listing way back in April. And I seem to remember that another controversial decision, to relocate Ustinov College – never likely to be popular with the college itself – was taken at the height of the long vacation, so that everything was safely signed and sealed before the start of the new term. Whatever happened to the idea that universities should encourage discussion and debate, instead of seeking to avoid it?

The Winter 2014 issue of Durham First, a magazine published by Durham University, contains an edited extract from The Buildings and Landscapes of Durham University by Martin Roberts. Dunelm House is described as “one of the university’s most dramatic and groundbreaking buildings” and the article concludes: “The juxtaposition of Dunelm House and Kingsgate Bridge...has been described as ‘the greatest contribution modern architecture has made to the enjoyment of an English medieval city’.”

Anyone who shares my views could sign the petition at http//you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-dunelm-house or email the Culture Secretary at enquiries@culture,gov.uk.

Timothy Cannam, Pity Me, Durham.

WITH reference to Neil McKay’s letter (HAS , Jan 6) he misunderstood that I was advocating that Dunelm House, built in the 1960s as the Durham University Student Union, and now threatened with demolition, should be given statutory protection as a building of “Special Architectural OR Historic Interest”.

I am drawing attention to the fact, as I understand it, and as first reported in The Northern Echo before Christmas, that Historic England, the Government agency responsible for deciding on whether or not a building meets the approved criteria for Listing, has judged that Dunelm House does, but that it is proposed that this advice is rejected by the Culture Secretary, unless she can be persuaded otherwise within a few days.

If you feel that this iconic building deserves at least a stay of demolition until all relevant factors have been examined, you can add your name to the online petition at 38degrees website or write to Karen Bradley, the Culture Secretary, at enquiries@culture.gov.uk.

John Niven, West Auckland.

IT is with a fair degree of sadness that I learn that Dunelm House is on its last legs and various people want to see its demise.

Dunelm House was only built in 1966. It has been labelled “brutalist” by the press. I would say it was “functional”.

I worked for Durham university for 47 years and went to Dunelm House quite regularly for department business, rugby dinners and the famous CAMRA beer festival which has been held there for about 35 years. I have always thought it was a most solidly built building which hugged the bank of the Wear opposite our wonderful castle and cathedral brilliantly.

It received huge amounts of accolades when it was built by Laings who actually lost money when building it as they were so enthused by it.

It has been reported that it will need £14.7m on repairs. So repair it!

I assure you it will cost £14.7m to knock it down as it is all reinforced concrete and an army of men with windy picks will be on for six months doing it.

Anyway, where will we hold the beer festival? You have to get your priorities right!

Malcolm Rolling, Carrville, Durham.