Destruction of historic kiln causes mixed emotions

Richard Turner said he enjoyed taking his dog for a walk past the kiln

The destruction of a 19th Century country brick kiln has caused mixed emotions.

The structure, which stood close to the site of the former Kepier Hospital near Durham, was demolished in late-July, according to photographer David Wilkin.

Durham County Council said its planning enforcement team was investigating.

Ushaw Moor resident Richard Turner said he enjoyed taking his dog for a walk past the kiln and had thought "it would always be there", but Frank Lee from Cumbria, who had been a regular visitor, said it had been falling apart for years.

Mr Lee, from Brampton, said he was surprised the kiln had stood for as long as it had.

The 80-year-old said he used to play in the building in the 1940s as a child and it was "disintegrating" even back then.

The kiln had previously stood on the land since the 19th century

"There were trees growing out of it," he said.

"I imagine if you took the vegetation away the whole thing would fall down anyway because the roots were holding it together."

He said the kiln had been "exciting" and "scary" and that he and his friends used to dare each other to go inside.

He said he had last seen it about a year ago.

Nevertheless, he said he was not that unhappy to see it go.

"I could see that nobody was going to look after it," he said, adding: "It wasn't a beautiful thing, it was just a country brick kiln."

'Part of our heritage'

Mr Turner said he felt "angry and sad" about the loss of the building.

"Just like churches and other old buildings I feel there should be some protection order on unique industrial buildings," he said.

A 2019 City of Durham Parish Council document included the structure in a list of "notable unlisted buildings" in its conservation area.

"It is part of our industrial heritage like mining and it should be protected," Mr Turner said.

The BBC contacted someone who it believes is connected with the owner for comment.