The plunger was pulled and the ‘iconic’ Barrington chimney was demolished today (December 20) to make room for new houses.

Ely Standard: The iconic Barrington chimney was demolished today (December 20). Picture: RED CROWThe iconic Barrington chimney was demolished today (December 20). Picture: RED CROW (Image: Archant)

Contractors Erith carried out the controlled detonation in the South Cambridgeshire village, bringing the 56 metre chimney to the ground.

More than 200 homes are planned to be built on the industrial land where the chimney once stood.

Two-thirds of the site will be dedicated to formal and informal landscaping, opening up the site to Barrington residents for the first time.

Demolition works will continue into 2019, with the application due to be determined early in the New Year.

Ely Standard: The iconic Barrington chimney was demolished today (December 20). Picture: RED CROWThe iconic Barrington chimney was demolished today (December 20). Picture: RED CROW (Image: Archant)

Chris Gatland, head of planning, said: “The demolition of the cement factory chimney today was an important milestone in bringing the site back into positive use.

“The site has been vacant for a number of years and presents a rare opportunity within South Cambridgeshire to restore previously developed land for future generations.

“We have worked closely with the local community and our partners to develop proposals that are sensitive to the surrounding village and also provide existing residents with the opportunity to access the site through a series of pedestrian and cycle routes.”

Andy Dyson, industrial demolition manager at Erith, said: “Demolitions of this scale take careful strategic planning and we are pleased that everything went seamlessly this morning.

“It has been fantastic to be onsite co-ordinating the chimney demolition and wider programme of works with such a great team.”

Local resident Kevin Stigwood won the Friend of Barrington School raffle to push the demolition button.

Ely Standard: The iconic Barrington chimney was demolished today (December 20). Picture: RED CROWThe iconic Barrington chimney was demolished today (December 20). Picture: RED CROW (Image: Archant)