Calls to transform a derelict historic school site into a haven for the homeless have been made by a neighbouring church.
Wapping First School on Wapping Road has lain derelict for 13 years and has been repeatedly targeted by vandals
Now the Abundant Life Centre, situated next to the Victorian Grade II listed structure, wants the building to transform it into a community centre.
An eight-foot high metal fence has been in place around the building’s perimeter since Bradford-based Sphinx Comm-ercial Ltd bought the school from Bradford Council in 2006.
It was granted planning permission in 2009, five years after the original application was submitted, but it is understood that permission has now lapsed.
A spokesman for the firm told the Telegraph & Argus at the time the recession had shackled its development ambitions.
They have now said they are looking at whether to keep it and build residential properties on it or sell it.
But a spokesman for the Life Centre, Tim Nelson, said that they were interested to see what can be done to develop the school.
“We would obviously love to have the building so we could look at a scheme to turn it around,” Mr Nelson said.
“We have spoken to the company on one occasion previously, who were looking at a residential development and got outline permission for that, but since then it has been derelict.
“There are a number of different things we could use it for.
“We want to try and purchase it with a view to make it a community centre and try and work with drug addicts, the homeless and those not in employment or education.
“It would take a substantial sum of money to turn the building around and that is up for discussion but we definitely want to look at it. We are here as a church to try and help improve people’s lives. The building is just an eyesore.”
Councillor Imran Khan said that he was on the planning committee so could not say too much, but added: “The sooner something happens with that site the better because it has sat there for 13 years.
“People have contacted me in the past asking for something to be done. It was well used when it was up and running.
“It is unfortunate it has been left to rot. If the current owners want to do something with it I hope they move as quickly as possible, if not, I am more than happy to support the Life Centre to take it over and create something the local community could use.”