A DERELICT eyesore pub which became a magnet for fly-tipping has finally been demolished.

The state of the burnt-out former Tempest pub, on Kesteven Road, Holme Wood, attracted anger in recent years.

The grounds were often strewn with rubbish, including mattresses, timber, kitchen items, bin bags and old fences.

But after a Section 215 notice was issued by Bradford Council ordering the demolition of the building, the misery the site has caused could be coming to an end.

It's a jubilant result for Councillor Alan Wainwright (Lab, Tong) who has repeatedly called for something to be done about the site.

He once described it as the "bane of his life" and vowed to the sort the problem out by pushing for enforcement action through Bradford Council.

"It was a frustrating complaint, but it was important to keep on with it," Cllr Wainwright said.

"I've had many, many people come to me, thanking me.

"It brings the whole value of the place down. Holme Wood is not the place it is painted.

"There's some really good people here, caring people and something like that, it had been a blight on the whole community so I'm chuffed it's finally going down."

The Section 215 notice was acknowledged by Bradford Council's Area Planning Panel in September and a contractor was soon appointed to flatten the site.

The pub's demolition brings to an end a long-running wrangle over the state of the land.

In 2011, the owner submitted a notice to the Council Building Control Department of his intention to demolish the building.

But that never happened, resulting in the former pub's poor, dilapidated state, with a missing roof, partly boarded-up windows and junk dumped on the surrounding land.

The eyesore site also attracted ire from the nearby Ryecroft Primary Academy, which petitioned Bradford Council to demolish the building.

The school's petition said: “We as a school community, parents, carers and local residents do care that this eyesore remains in our area after so long.

“We feel that it is disgraceful that our children must pass this on their way to school each morning.

“We also think, as a community, we deserve to have it removed as this would enhance the quality of everyone’s lives and make it a safer environment of our children.”

Cllr Wainwright thanked those at the Council who worked to get the notice issued and said he envisaged the land as a housing site.

However, he said it was a matter of getting someone to come forward to develop the land.

He added that a meeting had been held around five or more years ago between housing provider Incommunities, Bradford Council, local councillors and the land owner.