One of Bingley's finest landmarks still hasn't been demolished nearly a year after the move was approved in the face of strong opposition.

The decision to knock down Mornington Road Methodist Church was criticised by opponents including Shipley MP Chris Leslie and national conservation groups such as the Ancient Monuments Society.

Protesters, including the Mornington Road Church Preservation Group, tried to stop the move. In October last year, the final death knell seemed to be sounded when the Shipley Area Planning Committee gave the go-ahead for demolition.

But there was a sting in the tail - the scheme to redevelop the site with a new church, eight houses and three flats was rejected and demolition was only permitted to go ahead on completion of an acceptable plan. However, since then Methodists say progress has been slow.

Reverend Peter Whittaker, chairman of the West Yorkshire District, said: "We have made some progress but I would like it to have been demolished by now. We have had a change of architects and they are hoping to make some substantial progress very soon."

Reverend Andrew Goodhead, of the Shipley and Bingley circuit, added: "Some plans should be drawn up by the end of August. We are aware of the sensitivity of the scheme and want to get it right."

And Reverend Graham Smith, Methodist Superintendent for the Shipley and Bingley circuit, said: "As soon as the plans have been passed I am sure we will start demolition.

"It is moving steadily and very frustratingly but I don't know what else we can do. We have some outline plans which will go to the planners very soon."

But Ewen Godfrey, spokesman for the Mornington Road Church Preservation Group, warned they would be looking at any new plans very carefully and with a critical eye. "We expected them to be a lot quicker than this. Everything has been dead silent," he added.

A spokesman for Shipley planning office declined to comment at this stage.