Stables which once housed famous Tetley Shire horses in Leeds face the bulldozer

The application by Vastint UK Services Ltd, which is developing the former Tetley Brewery site, was validated by Leeds City Council on June 5. A decision to knock them down was made on July 3.

The horses and drays became synonymous with the company when Joshua Tetley set up the brewery in 1822. They were kept on for ceremonial purposes long after they were replaced by motorised transport.

Carlsberg called time on the horses in 2006 when they were being stabled near Holmfirth.

The vacated site will form part of the second phase of Aire Park, totalling 651 homes in apartment blocks between seven and 21 storeys.

A local resident, who didn't want to be named, said: "A lot of people will remember the Shire horses going round town delivering beer. I remember them being in the stables around 1990. It is disgusting that they can do stuff like this without advertising it.

"It seems incredibly secretive.

"Most of the buildings that get preserved are the big, grand ones - the interesting, working class ones seem to get bulldozed."

The Victorian Society, which is campaigning for a change in the law, says it's often a waste of "perfectly reusable buildings which are part of our local heritage".

The charity is seeking to remove permitted development rights for demolition of larger buildings. Developers already need to secure planning permission before they can knock down theatres and pubs.

The stables - which were previously ironworks, and then a cooperage - and the other building are "non-designated heritage" assets. However under the current rules they can still be demolished without planning permission as they are not listed or in a conservation area.

All that remains of Tetley Brewery is the former art deco headquarters, now an art gallery.

A spokeswoman for the Society said they were seeking a change to the law in the House of Lords with the help of Baroness Andrews, Lord Carrington of Fulham and Lord Shipley.

She said the VAT system further stacks the odds in favour of building being swept away as there's zero per cent VAT on demolition and rebuild against 20 per cent VAT on repair and maintenance.

She said: "The (Lords and Baroness) have been fighting with us along with the heritage lobby to get amendments to the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill. People understand there's a need to stop the waste of these perfectly reusable buildings which are part of our local heritage."

A letter from planning consultants to the council said a decision in favour would speed up the delivery of the redevelopment of the site. Vastint was approached for a comment. A report by the council’s chief planning officer said there was “no requirement” for the plans to be advertised.