THERE’S an understandable outcry about the stark fact that Bradford Council has given permission for a listed former school to be demolished.

The former St Andrew’s School, in Listerhills, has been described as a Gothic masterpiece, but its condition has been worsening ever since it was hit by fire in 2009.

In most circumstances, such an outcry would be entirely appropriate if listed building status had been disregarded.

Of course, in the majority of situations, the Council would not dream of going against listed building status.

But, sadly, we may have to accept that, every so often, there’s a building that’s beyond repair and on which it would not be economically viable to spend the money required to bring it up to the required standard.

There are a number of buildings around the district which have been left empty because no economic use can be made of them without enormous expenditure. The result is that these buildings rot away and become eyesores and blots on the landscape.

It’s in nobody’s interests to have a city littered with decay if there aren’t the resources to put these structures right.

Of course, it’s a very fine line and, in making such decisions, the uniqueness of each building and its architectural and historic importance must be taken into account.

But there are always going to be cases where, for whatever reason, a building has just gone too far to make it worthwhile retaining it.

Sadly, sometimes, we have little choice but to accept that what will be will be.