THE owners of a Grade II-listed building have applied for a second time to demolish the structure, saying its future is “untenable.”

The former Tank and Drums building on Bowling Back Lane dates back to the 1830s.

Originally called Bowling House, the building then became part of the Bowling Iron Works, and was most recently the officers for Tank and Drums Ltd.

In 2019 the building was purchased by Leo Sawrij Ltd.

A fierce fire badly damaged the building last February, and the company submitted an application to demolish the building the following month.

Bradford Council refused the demolition, saying demolition was an “absolute last resort” and that other options for its future had not been adequately considered.

Now a new application to demolish the building has been submitted by Leo Sawrij Ltd, in which the company argues the damage from the fire is so severe that demolition is the only safe option.

Council blocks plans to demolish listed mill building after history groups object

There are currently no plans to build on the site once the building is demolished – the application claims.

It adds: “The condition of the remains are such that the structure no longer meets the criteria for its Listed Building status.

“Left as it is, the building poses a serious health and safety risk to the public.”

They say new information in the application address the issues raised by planning officers who refused the last application.

The application says the fire was “set deliberately" by intruders and left the building in a “hazardous” condition.

It adds: “The applicant installed security fencing but that is frequently challenged to gain access for material theft or simple curiosity.”

Since the refusal, the company has hired a specialist heritage building engineer to look at the building.

Findings included in the application say: “A combination of the effects of weather, time, fire damage and vandalism have resulted in damage and loss of the fabric to the interior.”

It says the walls and roof are becoming vulnerable to collapse.

Despite these claims, the application has received objections from Historic England, the Council for British Archaeology and Historic Buildings and Places.

The Council for British Archaeology has said: “An improved strategy for the site should look to retain as many surviving elements of the listed building as possible.”

Historic England has said: “The harm caused by this application is substantial, requiring a strong robust justification that is not provided by the applicant.

“We acknowledge the poor condition of the building, but this does not in itself justify its loss.

"Further, the capacity to regain significance through repairs needs to be considered.

“The site should be made secure so that any potential issues of unauthorised trespassing can be addressed.”

A decision on the application is expected later this month.