Demands for Demolition of ‘Unsafe’ Former Catholic School

Owners of a school, which has been non-operational for 15 years, are facing calls for its demolition. The property has become a frequent target for arson and vandalism, described as a “magnet” for such activities. The former Yorkshire Martyrs School, located on Westgate Hill Street in Tong, ceased operations in 2010 and was subsequently listed for sale by the Leeds Catholic Diocese. Brothers Atsham, Azhar, and Imran Al-Haq, who own Apollo Beds, a company based in Batley, purchased the site. Despite their stated intention to develop the land for residential purposes, it has remained vacant since its acquisition. Matt Edwards, a local councillor and leader of the Bradford Green Party, is spearheading efforts to clear the premises. He stated: “The immediate concern is the safety. This building is fundamentally not a safe place for people to be in. “It’s seen countless fires and injuries have taken place here. “Ultimately the council does have a statutory responsibility to keep the building safe. I’ve repeatedly argued that this is an environmental health hazard.” Councillor Edwards indicated that he has pressed the council to exercise its legal authority to compel the owners to act. He further commented: “We need the owners to take some responsibility and actually get this building demolished because it’s just not safe and not good for the local community.” Adjacent to the former school, which is enclosed by a tall metal fence, is the Tong Learning Academy. Ursula Sutcliffe, another Tong councillor, attended the now-closed Tong School nearby and continues to reside in the vicinity. She remarked: “I’m from a generation where there were bustling high schools, beautiful green space, and today’s generation have this.”It doesn’t seem fair and it doesn’t seem like progress to me. “I think from the beginning of the year the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been called out 10 times to this, which is a massive cost to the public. “And what are the plans for it?” Shelia Rush, a 72-year-old farmer who has resided near the location for the majority of her life, shared her observations: “They set fire to it or they try to smash it up or they dare each other to walk up on the roof or up on that water tower.”It’s a magnet for everything. It’s absolutely ridiculous. It’s a gateway to Bradford and this is what they see. “I have a farm here and it causes me problems because when they’re bored with that they come up to the farm.” Apollo Beds did not provide a response when contacted by the BBC for comment. A spokesperson for Bradford Council stated: “There is a two-metre-high boundary fence around the site which is the responsibility of the owners. “If this is repaired and maintained, it will make the site secure. Our environmental health team is liaising with the owners to ensure this happens.”There are different options if the building is in a dangerous state and we are looking into what, if any, action we are able to take. “We will continue to place pressure on the owners to sort this site out.”