Dorman Long Tower - Listed Building Status

JonnyHistory said:
Well, the Odeon became Jumping Jacks which had acts perform there, I did a show with the Love Train there I think. The reality is it was a grotty place done on a budget though and didn't have the best crowd most nights. It was a travesty that the building was torn down and replaced with, well it's tarmac or gravel now isn't it?
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Jumping Jacks was more of a nightclub than a music/performance venue. Plans were in place to turn the Cleveland Scientific Institute into a bar/club/venue also.. something along the lines of medicine bar. The council knocked it back, no one protected the buildings and now we have two car parks.
 
Norfolkred1 said:
And then there is the old ABC looking very sorry for itself and an eyesore.
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There should be a long term plan for the town centre. Make it an example to other old industrial towns. Make it different, in some way make councillors accountable. All shops at one level, interlinking with gig economy units, make the ground level rates free, private apartments above.
 
Same_as_before said:
There should be a long term plan for the town centre. Make it an example to other old industrial towns. Make it different, in some way make councillors accountable. All shops at one level, interlinking with gig economy units, make the ground level rates free, private apartments above.
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MBC do talk a lot but very little action. Stockton are a doing council MBC have meetings.
 
Looks like no attempt has been made to protect the tower:
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works have begun to weaken the structure in preparation for demolition..
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terrible decision made to destroy a historic landmark.
 
I like the idea of it becoming some kind of activity centre, abseiling or a artificial rock face or zipper wire, but keeping it for keeping sake is pointless, same as the furnace. The steelworks was a dirty dangerous place, it served its purpose and that purpose has gone. Only people who never worked there would be nostalgic about it. Have a heritage centre if you must but look forward not back.
 
Ex pfc wintergreen said:
I like the idea of it becoming some kind of activity centre, abseiling or a artificial rock face or zipper wire, but keeping it for keeping sake is pointless, same as the furnace. The steelworks was a dirty dangerous place, it served its purpose and that purpose has gone. Only people who never worked there would be nostalgic about it. Have a heritage centre if you must but look forward not back.
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I've lived in the area all my life, worked there and hold no affection for the eyesore, demolish it as soon as possible
 
Ex pfc wintergreen said:
I like the idea of it becoming some kind of activity centre, abseiling or a artificial rock face or zipper wire, but keeping it for keeping sake is pointless, same as the furnace. The steelworks was a dirty dangerous place, it served its purpose and that purpose has gone. Only people who never worked there would be nostalgic about it. Have a heritage centre if you must but look forward not back.
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I wasn’t suggesting for one second to keep it for keeping sake. The area could have been transformed without that building having to be demolished. I guess this is part of the problem when folks see a dirty old hospital or a defunct cinema they seem more than happy to see them pulled down in the name of ‘progress’ It’s not just the Dorman Long Tower, heritage assets.. or anything of any worth on Teesside is just chucked in the bin or simply given away.
 
Same_as_before said:
There should be a long term plan for the town centre. Make it an example to other old industrial towns. Make it different, in some way make councillors accountable. All shops at one level, interlinking with gig economy units, make the ground level rates free, private apartments above.
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There is no planning whatsoever! We have a ‘the parmo mile’ that is linthorpe road! We gave away housing stock to be demolished and land banked by private individuals. We have new housing developments next to new semi industrial areas. It’s just a mess.. a constant mess. All badged with Tees Valley/Cleveland/Teesside/North Yorkshire
 
Norman_Conquest said:
In this day and age, there is nothing preventing it from being taking down and rebuilding it in another area, somewhere like the centre square. It would have more benefit there than its present position.
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Apart from the unnecessary cost, it would cease to be the heritage asset that is once was.
 
I know plenty of people that have lived all their lives within sight of the Dorman Long tower and it means so much to them. You want kids to feel proud of where they are from and you want them to look after the environment then you make it feel different, an identity that they can relate to.
Why is the solution always to demolish and not build around something that provides a stamp of identity?
There is a plan for Middlesbrough's Victorian core near the railway station and sticking to that task meant stopping short term plans to demolish for student accommodation etc. It was a vision to make it a gateway into the town to be proud of.. To support businesses investing in those buildings and make it an area that rises up again.
Dorman Long Tower ought to have been a flagship for new industry brought to the south bank of the Tees. Go to East End docklands or Gateshead or Byker and you see old former industrial buildings being used in this way. It is really effective.
What was gained by demolishing the Odeon, the Cleveland Scientific Institute? Two car parks. At least Acklam Hall was saved. Middlesbrough old Town Hall should soon be saved and a community built around it.
What is the point of demolishing?
 
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