A DEVELOPER has told of plans to rid the Spen Valley of an arson-plagued derelict office building - backed by a campaigning 13-year-old girl.

The former Maccess office site, on the corner of Spen Lane and Nibshaw Lane, Gomersal, has been described as a "nightmare" and a "blight" by fed-up locals.

Local girl Emily Warrillow has been lobbying since October for the building to be demolished.

It has smashed windows, graffiti daubed on it and has been set on fire a number of times. It is also surrounded by rubble, overgrown vegetation and metal fencing.

Firefighters have been called to 13 incidents at the building since August 1, 2010, according to West Yorkshire Fire Service.

Michael Singh, of developer Swift Properties, has spoke of the company's plans for the site, which they have owned for about five months. Swift has submitted a planning application to Kirklees Council to build 36 apartments in two blocks on the site.

Within the application it states a desire to progress the proposals quickly to rid the site of its problems with vandalism.

Mr Singh, who is a director at the company, said: "It is a target for vandalism.

"We have spoke to councillors and planning officers and we put planning in in the quickest timeframe we could.

"Our plan is to enhance the area and get rid of vandalism at this derelict building. We are looking forward to getting started as soon as possible."

Mr Singh said the new flats will be three storeys high and "very similar to ones up the road".

Emily, who attends Whitcliffe Mount School in Cleckheaton, started her campaign - which included writing to the building's previous owner and presenting a petition to Kirklees Council - after going to a mothers' union meeting last October and asking MP Jo Cox, Councillor Simon Alvy and former Kirklees Council candidate Cath Pinder if the building could become a youth provision.

"I am just happy it is getting knocked down and built into something else," said year nine pupil Emily. "I feel proud. Not many people of my age do things like this because they find it boring - but it isn't

"It is coming to an ending. I want to say thank you to Jo Cox, Simon Alvy, Catherine Pinder and the Mothers' Union for supporting me. I would not have been here if they had not supported me."

Emily has visited local schools as part of her campaign, warning youngsters about the dangers of derelict buildings. She plans to continue the initiative when the new school term starts next month.