Doncaster Council exploring legal protection for historic factory chimney
Pegler’s Chimney has been a landmark on the Balby skyline since 1935
City of Doncaster Council is considering imposing a legal order on the iconic Pegler’s Chimney in order to protect it from demolition, decision papers show.
According to documents on the authority’s website, planning officials will consult stakeholders on the possibility of placing an Article 4 Direction (A4D) on the iconic structure, which has towered over Balby since 1935.
An A4D would remove permitted rights for demolition of heritage assets, ensuring explicit planning permission is required to knock the chimney down.
There is no suggestion in the council documents that there are existing plans to demolition the chimney, or the factory it is part of, and the decision is precautionary.
The report states: “In light of the closure of the Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems Belmont Works site the Council feel there would be merit to protecting the Pegler’s Chimney as the site will likely come under development pressure post Aalberts leaving this site. There is a potential risk that, should the site be redeveloped, the chimney may be demolished.”
Cllr James Church, the cabinet member for planning, is supportive of the proposal, the report said.
Doncaster Council did not respond to a request from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) for comment.
The Pegler’s factory closed after 120 years in 2024 and employed thousands of local people over the years, including football icon Kevin Keegan, who worked at the site aged 15 as an office clerk.
Proposals to protect the iconic chimney has been supported by the deputy mayor of Doncaster and Hexthorpe & Balby North councillor Glyn Jones, who said: “People have been contacting me that they 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.”
Cllr Jones, who also worked at Pegler’s for more than 20 years, said he has 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 council taxpayers, for maintenance of the chimney, if the A4D was imposed.
Cllr Glyn told the LDRS that a meeting had taken place on March 19, with relevant local councillors, in which the situation was discussed.
His comments were echoed by Reform UK councillor Russ Linley, who also represents Hexthorpe and Balby North, where the chimney resides.
Cllr Linley said: “Pegler’s chimney is an important part of Doncaster’s heritage and deserves proper consideration for it’s future. An Article 4 direction could potentially have financial implications for the council.
“Whilst conservation of heritage is important and nice to have, due consideration is also imperative regarding financial burdens, and impact on investment, regeneration and jobs.
“I’m pleased to say that at the March 19 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.
“The final decision must be the right decision. After all, once it’s gone, it’s gone.”