Historic factory chimney could be protected

A 1930s factory chimney that became a local landmark could be given protection from demolition after the site closed.

Doncaster Council is considering placing an Article 4 direction on the Peglers chimney in Balby, meaning planning permission would be required to remove it.

The factory closed in 2024 and the site went up for sale in December, although the chimney and its furnace were already disused.

Councillor Russ Linley said that an order could offer "an extra level of protection" before any final decisions were made about the future of the land.

The 200ft (60m) structure is part of Belmont Works, which was opened in 1904 by Pegler Brothers and manufactured plumbing fittings. The factory was converted for aircraft engine production during World War One.

The chimney with its distinctive Peglers lettering was added in 1935, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

There is no suggestion in the council documents that there are any existing plans to demolish the chimney or clear the site, which was operated by Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems at the time of its closure.

The report stated that there would be "merit" in preserving the chimney in case of future redevelopment.

It added that councillor James Church, the cabinet member for planning, was supportive of the proposal.

The Peglers factory was once a major local employer and the chimney can be seen from the East Coast Main Line.

One of the thousands of workers was football icon Kevin Keegan, who was an office clerk there when he was just 15.

Glyn Jones, a councillor for Hexthorpe and Balby North, also worked at Peglers for more than 20 years.

He said he'd been contacted by people who "want it to remain and be protected".

"I believe it's one of Doncaster's major landmarks and if you're coming from any way you know you're home, particularly from the train.

"Also, people who worked there want it to remain."

He added that he had a "degree of nostalgia" for the structure.

However, he said it was important for council officials to determine that there would be no additional cost to taxpayers to maintain the chimney.

The situation was discused by councillors during a meeting on 19 March and his comments were echoed by fellow ward councillor Russ Linley.

Linley said it was "an important part of Doncaster's heritage and deserves proper consideration for its future".

However, he warned that "whilst conservation of heritage is important", due consideration should be given to any potential burdens that could impact "investment, regeneration and jobs".

"I'm pleased to say that at the meeting with other councillors and officers, we were all in agreement that we could at least offer an extra level of 'protection', before final decision," he added.

"The final decision must be the right decision. After all, once it's gone, it's gone."

The 17-acre site is being marketed by BNP Paribas, who have received pre-application advice from Doncaster Council on a range of potential uses, including 204 new homes or a commercial and industrial development.

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