I am very interested in the attached account in the Architects Journal of the circumstances which led to the demolition of the Dorman Long Tower. According to Ben Houchen, the Mayor of Teesside, Historic England has admitted that it listed the Tower in error, which is presumably why Nadine Dorries felt able to de-list it and allow its demolition. But for Historic England to admit that it listed the building in error without visiting it would be to admit immense incompetence on the part of the official advisors to the Secretary of State and a procedure for listing which is utterly flawed. So, it would be useful by an easy process of formal enquiry to ask Houchen to produce this written statement.
If it doesn’t exist in writing, as he claims, then he is presumably lying and his demolition of the building should be subject to judicial review.
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 