A CAMPAIGN is underway to try and save an historic former school building, where Bradford-born artist David Hockney was a pupil, from being demolished.

The former Hutton Middle School in Eccleshill is in line to be knocked down as part of plans to build 29 new houses on the site.

But local resident Andy Chilton is determined to preserve the building, which is between Cavendish Road and Victoria Road, and hopes the developer, Gregory Property Group (GPG), will work with campaigners and incorporate it into the development.

Mr Chilton has collected more than 90 signatures on a petition backing his proposals, and there have been more than 20 objections to GPG's plan for the building registered online.

"This is a story with a difference," said Mr Chilton. "One where everyone can win – not a battle between NIMBYs and developer where one side has to lose.

"Our concern is not about the development of the site. We recognise the need for more homes and would like to work with the developer to come to the right solution.

"I believe we are custodians of these buildings and they should be protected. Or at least given a fair chance at being saved – before rash, but everlasting decisions are made to demolish them.

"We want to work with the developer on a win-win."

Mr Chilton, who lives in the house which used to belong to the Hutton family the school was named after, added: "The desired outcome immediately is to get more options on the table which incorporate the development and conservation of the building or at least its most beautiful parts. The original tender document states that whilst the building is not listed – and I think it should be, or at least its fuller history known before demolishing it – it is 'an undesignated heritage asset'.

"We just feel that there has been insufficient awareness heightened in the local community – if people don’t know then they can’t or won’t object until it is too late."

Mr Chilton pointed to a site opposite the school - The OId Chapel - that is now 18 apartments as proof that older buildings can be preserved and turned into an alternative use.

"With some imagination and vision, the old building, or part of it, could be incorporated into a new, commercially and aesthetically attractive development," said Mr Chilton.

The Council for British Archaeology has also written to object to the demolition of the building.

In a letter, it states: “In order to justify the total demolition of a heritage asset, your authority should be convinced that there is no viable option for conversion.”

A Council spokesman said: "The Council have now received a number of representations from local residents about this planning application, which raise objections. Once the assessment process has been concluded by officers the application will be presented to the chairman of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee, to determine if the application will need to be considered by the committee. The next meeting is in February."

A spokesman for Gregory Property Group said: “This former school has been derelict for some time and despite extensive and unsuccessful marketing over the last few years there has been no interest in its current form. 

"The building is regarded as a ‘non-allocated heritage asset’ and as such Gregory Property Group is keen to redevelop the site for more practical use and proposes to invest significantly in Eccleshill by providing much needed family homes.

"Gregory Property Group is an local, award winning developer with a strong track record in delivering viable and sustainable schemes across Yorkshire.” 

The planning application - 14/03627/MAO - can be viewed online at www.bradford.gov.uk.

People can join the campaign at www.facebook.com/saveeccleshillhuttonschool/timeline.