Historic England's original advice was that Dorman Long Tower is a very good example of high-quality Modernist architecture which could be seen as an early example of Brutalist design.
However, the review applicant contends that Dorman Long Tower was being built at the same time as Brutalism was emerging as a powerful idea in English architecture through the work of subtle and considered architects such as Alison and Peter Smithson and the writings of Reyner Banham.
Historic England's site visit and further consideration has led Historic England to revise their interpretation of the architectural interest of the tower.
In Historic England's view, it does incorporate some architectural display and is essentially a Modernist design, but this is rather an emerging or proto-Brutalist design that shows an Art Deco influence and a Germanic, functionalist tradition.
Upon review, the Secretary of State is not persuaded by Historic England's original advice that Dorman Long Tower is “an early example of Brutalist design” in the considered sense, but on balance rather by the case that building's form and use of concrete is more likely out of engineering and functional requirements, albeit accepting that the building does have some degree of aesthetic interest, particularly as a local landmark and as a rare building type, although making the point that most buildings are in some way unique, which does not necessarily of itself make them of special interest.
With the benefit of Historic England's latest advice and the evidence contained within the review request, the Secretary of State is, on balance, persuaded by the arguments in favor of delisting Dorman Long Tower as it does not in her view possesses the level of architectural or historic interest required for a building to be included in the statutory list.