DERELICT buildings in a Bradford street may be demolished and cleared away by the Council with the cost recovered from the owners.

The cost of demolition and clearance of the former Lund Humphries building and the adjacent unit 71 in Priestman Street is estimated to be about £353,000, though this cost could increase if asbestos or other noxious materials are found, possibly up to a further £50,000.

A report to Bradford West Area Committee stated that the Council had tried to get the owners to repair or demolish them for three years with no response.

Residents had complained the buildings were dangerous, were a magnet for children to play in and places used by drug dealers.

Justin Booth, the Council’s principal building control surveyor, said: “Trying to impress on the owners to do something with them has proved unsuccessful. The buildings have been fire-damaged in separate incidents and other than fencing off the site, the owner has carried out no remedial works.

“The majority of the roofs to the former Lund Humphreys building have been lost due to fire damage. Some of the floors remain and the majority of the wall structure is in place and is structurally stable in the medium term.

“The appearance and condition of the buildings and the owners’ lack of progress in redeveloping or removing the remains causes a detriment to the appearance of the neighbourhood.

“Though there is no budget for this work, it is possible to recover the cost of demolition and clearance from the owners. As the owners have not been prepared to repair the buildings the recommendation is that the Council proceeds with legal enforcement.”

Councillor Sinead Engel (Lab, Heaton) said: “The fire service has been to that building so many times they have practically got a season ticket for the place. The fire and rescue budget is not one we control, but it is still public money that is being used each time they are called out.”

Members of the committee moved the recommendation “to underwrite the costs and liabilities of carrying out works in default of notice, to remedy the condition of the ruinous and dilapidated buildings on Priestman Street subject to the risks in recovering such expenditure”.

Progress of the recommendation will be decided by senior Council management.