OUTRAGED residents have expressed their concerns that the oldest-known building in Manningham is in danger of falling down.

The grade-II listed Old Manor House, on Rosebery Road, which has some original features dating back to the 16th century, is currently in a fragile state, with fears that its condition is getting worse.

Bradford Council and Historic England have admitted they are "concerned" about the site, and are working with its owner to safeguard its future.

Gerard Cavallari, a 47 year-old antique dealer who was born around the corner from the building but now lives in Little Horton Green, said it was "outrageous" the house was being allowed to fall into disrepair.

"The council has an obligation to make sure owners of buildings of such historical importance take steps to preserve those buildings for posterity," he said.

"If the necessary precautions are not undertaken the council then should be doing all it can to make a compulsory purchase order for the benefit of the community as a whole.

"I would like to see this wonderful old building restored as a family home and used for the purpose in which it was built, or alternatively, as a community asset or museum."

Naweed Hussain, a 34 year-old social scientist who lives on nearby St Paul's Road and is a member of the Manningham Masterplan board, said the house had been "one of the most beautiful buildings in the township of Manningham."

He said a compulsory purchase order had been mooted several years ago, but no progress was made, adding that he wasn't aware who the owner of the building was.

In 2011, the council granted planning permission for the construction of a two-storey extension to the back of the building, and work to make it habitable.

It is understood that the work never got underway, and the Telegraph & Argus was unable to contact the developer who submitted the application.

In 2006, a proposal had been granted allowing a retail unit to be built within the grounds of the property.

Mike Cowlam, strategic director for regeneration and culture at Bradford Council, said: "We remain very concerned about the condition of this historically important listed building.

"We have spoken to the owner and our Planning and Housing Services departments are working together to consider all options to ensure the future of this building is safeguarded.

"We inspected the building with Historic England in December 2015 and will be meeting again with them to discuss the best way forward.

"There are no current planning applications being considered and the past approval for a retail unit on the part of the site facing Oak Lane has lapsed.

"It is unlikely that this would be supported if re-submitted."

In October 2012, Historic England described the house as Manningham's "oldest and grandest residence", stating it was one of the five most at-risk grade-II buildings in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Craig McHugh, Heritage at Risk Projects Officer for Heritage England, said yesterday: "It is a fabulous historic building, and we are concerned about its condition.

"The meeting in December was to get a feel for the likely repair costs to help the council and owner.

"It is likely a restoration would run to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

"The real crux of the issue is that the repair costs would exceed its value.

"The owner has shown some willing to do some work in the past, but that seems to have stalled.

"What is really important about any proposal is that it understands and respects the history of the building.

"It would be lovely to see it back in use as a family home.

"We wouldn't want to see it lost."