One of the best landmarks on the M1 to be demolished :-(
Discussion
Such a shame 
w
rs
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/south_y...
For many visitors to Sheffield, their first glimpse of the city involves two disused cooling towers that overshadow the M1 motorway.
Known locally as "the salt and pepper pots", the famous Tinsley towers were originally part of a power station that closed down in the 1970s.
They have been described as "intrinsically beautiful" and a "massive icon" for the city.
But despite campaigns to save them, the towers will be demolished on Sunday.
Energy giant E.ON, which owns the towers, says they need to be knocked down as they are unsafe.
The company has been granted permission for a £60m biomass power station on the site.
'Cultural vandalism'
But for many, Sunday's 0300 BST demolition will be a sad event.
In 2006 the site was one of six in the UK selected to be part of a £2m national art programme for Channel 4.
The idea had been around in Sheffield for several years and had received much public support.
Suggestions included turning the site into gigantic tankards, a skate park and a theme park with rooms inside based upon local celebrities.
Antony Gormley
I could see a choir singing specially-composed music in the centre, with the audience sitting in a circle round them
Angel of the North creator Antony Gormley
But E.ON ruled out the idea, saying the 250ft (76m) towers needed to be knocked down.
Thousands of people signed petitions as part of a campaign to save the towers, and world-famous sculptor Antony Gormley stepped into the controversy.
Mr Gormley, creator of the Angel of the North, said it would be an "act of cultural vandalism" to knock them down.
He said: "They are to the industrial revolution what cathedrals were to the medieval world."
He said the towers were "absolutely unique" in their shape and acoustic capabilities and could be used as a concert hall or recording studio.
"I could see a choir singing specially-composed music in the centre, with the audience sitting in a circle round them."
Sheffield Attercliffe MP Clive Betts agreed that the move was "an act of historical vandalism".
'Massive symbolism'
He said the towers were the oldest surviving parabolic cooling towers in the UK and had huge historic industrial value.
"In fact, for millions of people, arriving at the Tinsley cooling towers has meant 'thank goodness, we're back in the north'," he said.
"Southerners have always had ridiculous arguments about whether the north began at Watford or Watford Gap.
"To those in the know, the north has always started at Tinsley. With the towers gone, these will be an urgent need to find a replacement for their massive symbolism".
• E.ON has set up a viewing platform at the adjacent Meadowhall shopping centre so people can watch the demolition.
wrshttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/south_y...
For many visitors to Sheffield, their first glimpse of the city involves two disused cooling towers that overshadow the M1 motorway.
Known locally as "the salt and pepper pots", the famous Tinsley towers were originally part of a power station that closed down in the 1970s.
They have been described as "intrinsically beautiful" and a "massive icon" for the city.
But despite campaigns to save them, the towers will be demolished on Sunday.
Energy giant E.ON, which owns the towers, says they need to be knocked down as they are unsafe.
The company has been granted permission for a £60m biomass power station on the site.
'Cultural vandalism'
But for many, Sunday's 0300 BST demolition will be a sad event.
In 2006 the site was one of six in the UK selected to be part of a £2m national art programme for Channel 4.
The idea had been around in Sheffield for several years and had received much public support.
Suggestions included turning the site into gigantic tankards, a skate park and a theme park with rooms inside based upon local celebrities.
Antony Gormley
I could see a choir singing specially-composed music in the centre, with the audience sitting in a circle round them
Angel of the North creator Antony Gormley
But E.ON ruled out the idea, saying the 250ft (76m) towers needed to be knocked down.
Thousands of people signed petitions as part of a campaign to save the towers, and world-famous sculptor Antony Gormley stepped into the controversy.
Mr Gormley, creator of the Angel of the North, said it would be an "act of cultural vandalism" to knock them down.
He said: "They are to the industrial revolution what cathedrals were to the medieval world."
He said the towers were "absolutely unique" in their shape and acoustic capabilities and could be used as a concert hall or recording studio.
"I could see a choir singing specially-composed music in the centre, with the audience sitting in a circle round them."
Sheffield Attercliffe MP Clive Betts agreed that the move was "an act of historical vandalism".
'Massive symbolism'
He said the towers were the oldest surviving parabolic cooling towers in the UK and had huge historic industrial value.
"In fact, for millions of people, arriving at the Tinsley cooling towers has meant 'thank goodness, we're back in the north'," he said.
"Southerners have always had ridiculous arguments about whether the north began at Watford or Watford Gap.
"To those in the know, the north has always started at Tinsley. With the towers gone, these will be an urgent need to find a replacement for their massive symbolism".
• E.ON has set up a viewing platform at the adjacent Meadowhall shopping centre so people can watch the demolition.
I think people will regret doing this in years to come. I can never see the point in replacing something with nothing. It is the same with the Get Carter Carpark in Gateshead and (proposed) Preston Bus Station demolition, great iconic architecture which will just be replaced with a Tesco or some generic flats.
tomTVR said:
I think people will regret doing this in years to come. I can never see the point in replacing something with nothing. It is the same with the Get Carter Carpark in Gateshead and (proposed) Preston Bus Station demolition, great iconic architecture which will just be replaced with a Tesco or some generic flats.
Preston Bus Station is fantastic.Someone really needs a slap if it is demolished.
Pat H said:
tomTVR said:
I think people will regret doing this in years to come. I can never see the point in replacing something with nothing. It is the same with the Get Carter Carpark in Gateshead and (proposed) Preston Bus Station demolition, great iconic architecture which will just be replaced with a Tesco or some generic flats.
Preston Bus Station is fantastic.Someone really needs a slap if it is demolished.
jamoor said:
Pat H said:
tomTVR said:
I think people will regret doing this in years to come. I can never see the point in replacing something with nothing. It is the same with the Get Carter Carpark in Gateshead and (proposed) Preston Bus Station demolition, great iconic architecture which will just be replaced with a Tesco or some generic flats.
Preston Bus Station is fantastic.Someone really needs a slap if it is demolished.
But some might call that art
stockver said:
like he said, we parked in the (confusing) car park above, walking down the [ammonia scented] staircase and found someone had deffecated at the south exit to the bus station. But some might call that art
That is the people though not the building. If someone pooed on the Statue of Liberty it would still be impressive!Edited by tomTVR on Saturday 23 August 20:00
stockver said:
jamoor said:
The inside is just death.
like he said, we parked in the (confusing) car park above, walking down the [ammonia scented] staircase and found someone had deffecated at the south exit to the bus station. But some might call that art
I have been in it once.
And once was enough.
But just because Preston Council is incapable of organising basic security, hygiene and maintenance does not mean that it ought to be demolished.
jamoor said:
I work about 1/2 a mile from there, noone gives a crap
Apparently you don't know anyone in Sheffield who's older than 35 and you've never read the papers.jamoor said:
there is no point in them and they are hogging space.
Except that they're the oldest surviving of their type, a major landmark, a reminder of Sheffield's industrial heritage, and, if it weren't for this 'carbon credits' bks, they would have been left standing in that role for another 30 years. jamoor said:
The replacement to these is meadowhall on the other side as a landmark.
Yeah, now there's a much loved local landmark.xiphias said:
They're bloody awful. People in Sheffield need to get a grip and let go of things, like the fact that Thatcher shut down the pits. Honestly when I first moved here it smacked of Royston Vasey.
+1, its called progress, they're not in use, they no doubt devalue any property within 5 miles, there was probably public outcry when they were put there and now your moaning about geting rid?xiphias said:
They're bloody awful.
Many people think they have a certain charm.xiphias said:
People in Sheffield need to get a grip and let go of things, like the fact that Thatcher shut down the pits.
Blackburn Meadows closed a decade before the miners' strike 
xiphias said:
Honestly when I first moved here it smacked of Royston Vasey.
Relative to Swindon ? Milks said:
+1, its called progress, they're not in use, they no doubt devalue any property within 5 miles
Between the M1 viaduct, Meadowhall, a vast steel mill, an even more vast distribution centre, and the cooling towers, it's the towers that blight the area ?Milks said:
there was probably public outcry when they were put there and now your moaning about geting rid?
Are you under the impression they're relatively new ? When I heard about this, I wondered what they were going to build instead. I'm sure a new power station will increase the values of the surrounding houses, as opposed to some aesthetically interesting, culturally and historically important. 
Literally.. Imagine if someone tried to demolish the Angel of the North.
Literally.. Imagine if someone tried to demolish the Angel of the North.
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