The demolition of protected 1950s school buildings in Bradford has been given the all-clear.

A planning application to bulldoze part of Dixons Allerton Academy, some of which is Grade II listed, raised the concern of English Heritage.

But after considering further detailed information, the body, which protects the nation’s notable buildings, has decided not to submit a formal objection and the academy will be rebuilt by 2012 as planned by Bradford Council’s Building Schools for the Future team.

The academy’s principal Rachel Kidd said she is desperate to transfer to new buildings as the existing structure was in a state of disrepair.

She said: “Although the school building was acclaimed when first built, it is no longer fit for a 21st century education and is in very poor repair.

“We suffered a huge flood from burst pipes in July and 11 classrooms were ruined. Classes are being held in portable cabins while the rooms are being dried out and repaired, and we face other possible disasters like this in the future.

“Although English Heritage would originally have liked the Council to refurbish the buildings and continue using them, it would cost several million pounds more to restore them than it would cost to build a new school building.”

The former Rhodesway School reopened as an academy for secondary school aged pupils in September, 2009, sponsored by Dixons City Academy.

The £29 million rebuilding scheme survived the recent cuts to the Building Schools for the Future programme and will create a through-age academy for two to 19-year-olds.

Kath Tunstall, the Council’s strategic director of services to children and young people, said: “We’re pleased that English Heritage has written to the Council stating that they have received all the information they require and have no objection to the demolition of the listed buildings at Dixons Allerton Academy.

“Bradford Planning Panel has resolved to approve the application and have referred the application to the Government office.”

Trevor Mitchell, of English Heritage, said: “English Heritage did not object to the demolition of Rhodesway School, because we recognised that the public benefits of a new academy on the site outweighed the loss of the listed building.

“The present school, opened in 1959, is the only one in the region built since 1945 considered important enough to be listed. We are pleased that a full record of the site will be made and the striking tile mural at the entrance will be reused in the new academy building.”