FOLLOWING the Dorman Long Tower receiving Grade II listed status, Redcar's MP has spoken whether he supports it being demolished.

The tower in South Bank, Redcar is set to be demolished later this month, however campaigners managed to apply successfully for it to become a listed building by Historic England.

Jacob Young, Conservative MP for Redcar, said: "It's well known that I have argued for the Dorman Long Tower to be retained and I’m disappointed we’re at this junction.

"However, after reading the independent Atkins report the conclusions are clear. Key structural failings mean it is no longer sustainable to argue for the Tower’s preservation. Even if we did spend millions of pounds to preserve the structure - even then - the maximum lifespan would be 20 years before it would require more investment, or would need to be demolished anyway.

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“I want to thank all those who have stood alongside me pushing for this, and Historic England for their tenacity in listing the tower, however I do not believe its ultimate fate has changed - whether it's this month, next month, or next year, the demolition of the Tower due to its structural deficiencies is now inevitable.

“This is a difficult decision, and I have previously spoken openly about what the tower means to me and why I would want to keep it, but I can’t argue for millions to be spent on preserving something that will need to be demolished in just 20 years time.”

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