The demolition of a chimney at a former Victorian mill in Lancashire to make way for housing has prompted English Heritage to raise concerns.
Planning permission has been sought for the demolition of the chimney, warehouse, boiler house and associated flue accessories to make way for 55 houses and apartments, reports the Lancashire Telegraph.
Speaking to the newspaper, an English Heritage official explained: "The significance of parts of the site remain unclear, the extent of demolition has not been fully justified and the resulting housing designs would have an over-bearing and harmful effect on the character and appearance of the conservation area."
Old chimneys can often pose a health and safety risk in residential areas, although there has been no indication that this is the reason behind the proposed demolition at the mill site.
Earlier this week, a roofer interviewed in the New Zealand Herald indicated that damage to some chimneys may not be visible above the roofline, which can mean homeowners are unbeknownst to the hazard they may face.