DEMOLITION of Salisbury’s gasometer has begun with diggers cutting their way into the steel base of the tower.

News of the structure's fate sparked a mixed reaction among Journal readers.

Many saw it as a “blot on the landscape” and welcomed its removal.

Dan Quinn posted on the Journal’s Facebook page: “Bin it, there’s nothing worse than having a rusty eyesore in a public place.”

But others wanted to protect it as an important part of Salisbury’s skyline.

David Palmer posted: “It’s architecture from an industrial age and should be protected, not pulled down to make way for more retirement flats.”

It comes after the owner of the site, SGN, secured permission to take down the structure which had not been used for almost a decade.

It is expected the site will be redeveloped into housing.

SGN says there are no current plans to do so, but said the "redundant brownfield site" in Coldharbour Lane had “good redevelopment potential”

The firm says the empty structure is expensive to maintain, which is “unreasonable and unjustified given that they no longer serve a purpose”.

It is proposing a “careful and methodical dismantling” and says more than 90 per cent of the materials removed will be recycled.

The Type 47 gas holder was built in 1928 by Newton Chambers & Co Ltd and is described by SGN as “a common example” which holds no “special historical or architectural merit”.

In a statement, SGN said: "Our regulator Ofgem is funding the removal of our gas holders as we can now store gas in pipes, which is much more cost effective.

"We’re planning to dismantle half our gas holder fleet by 2021, with the remainder being dismantled by 2029.

"We’re working directly with our customers to tell them about our work, listen to any concerns they may have, and celebrate the history of our gas holders.

"Last month we started work to dismantle the gas holder in Salisbury. It will take us until October to dismantle the holder, although we’ll remain on site until February next year.

"We will be keeping the local community updated as the project proceeds.

"Recently we held a drop-in session to explain the dismantling works to local residents who will be directly affected.

"There was a large turnout and it was an excellent opportunity for us to hear community’s thoughts."