PARENTS say the state of a derelict factory building in Gomersal is "putting children's lives at risk", as Kirklees Council continues to pursue a demolition order on the site.

The future of the former Maccess factory on Spen Lane was the subject of a heated public meeting at St Mary's Chruch in Gomersal.

A barrage of questions around the health and safety of the site, which is said to be regularly trespassed on by local children, were put to Kevin Walton, senior planning enforcement officer at Kirklees Council.

He said the authority had "repeatedly secured" the building, which is owned by London-based development company Castle Rock Capital, to try and keep it safe.

Residents raised concerns over the state of the building, which has been empty for many years and said to have been subject to numerous fires and attacks of vandalism, saying it was both unsafe and a continued eyesore, with rubbish often dumped on the surrounding land.

The meeting was organised by the St Mary's Mothers Union, after consultation with Jo Cox, the Labour Parliamentary candidate for Batley and Spen.

"There is a lot of anger from the local community, but the meeting was really positive, with emotional yet measured debate," said Mrs Cox.

Residents feel the building is an eyesore and security risk as children goad each other to play there.

Mr Walton said the council had an obligation to try and make the building safe,and had repeatedly boarded up doors and windows in an attempt to prevent access.

Thursday night's meeting heard a demolition order was served in February with a deadline of April, but the owners are yet to comply.

"Due to the lack of positive action taken by the owner of the building, the council have repeatedly secured it in the interest of safety and will continue to take further steps in order to deter access where necessary," Mr Walton said.

"In addition the council have ordered the demolition of the building, and further enforcement proceedings are being pursued to ensure compliance with the demolition order.

"At this stage the council has had no firm indication of any future plans for the land, although officers are available to discuss any proposal to re-develop the site.”

No-one from Castle Rock Capital was available to comment yesterday.