OPPOSITION to plans to demolish a Victorian orphanage in Bradford has come from as far as the USA.

Groups such as the Victorian Society and Bradford Civic Society have also raised concerns about plans to flatten Joseph Nutter House.

A planning application to raze the site, which is next to Horton Park, was submitted to Bradford Council last month by Mohammed Farid. It describes the building as "derelict" and a health and safety hazard, and says the building had been a target of vandalism and anti-social behaviour since it shut.

The site would be re-developed for employment use following the demolition.

But since the application was submitted, objections to the plans have come from as far as Boston, Massachusetts, London and Edinburgh.

Joseph Nutter, orphaned at an early age, ran a successful furniture business in Bradford, and when he died in 1884 he left £10,000 in his will for the founding of an orphanage for boys.

Bradford Corporation came up with the land at the top edge of Horton Park and the foundation stone was laid on May 30 1888. The home opened a year later.

It has been used for a number of different purposes since the orphanage shut, and was a college building until it was sold in 2016.

Responding to the plans The Victorian Society said: "We are concerned to hear that this former orphanage in Bradford could be razed to the ground. Built in 1888, the building evidently plays an important part in the local history of the area. Surely a use can be found for it?"

The Bradford Civic Society has also objected, saying: "The house is of significant historic interest to the Bradford District.

"Although not listed, the building is in an area of significant historic sensitivity. It is immediately bordered by the Grade II listed Horton Park and is also on the border of the Great Horton Conservation area.

"Given that the building has been unoccupied for a period less than five years, it could be argued that any disrepair couldn't be significant enough to deem the building a safety risk or in need of urgent demolition.

Plans to demolish Victorian orphanage building submitted to Bradford Council

"Sympathetic restorations into housing have been carried out with similar historic properties around the district and we would encourage the applicant to explore this avenue before Bradford loses a remarkable piece of Victorian heritage."

Other objectors include Steve Jerome from Boston, Massachusetts. He wrote to the Council to say he has visited family in Yorkshire numerous times, and was impressed by Bradford's heritage. He said: "Bradford and

Saltaire form an outstanding part of the story of the Industrial Revolution, and buildings like this former orphanage, built at the height of the industry's prosperity, are a legacy worthy of conservation.

"The quality of the architecture of this period can not be duplicated very easily today."

Dr Barendina Smedley from London wrote to the Council to say: "Losing Joseph Nutter House would be yet another step towards stripping Bradford of everything that is distinctive and unique about it as a place."

However two people have supported the demolition. Michael Bairstow wrote to the planning department to say: "The building is in a shoddy state and all it has done over the last few years is attract anti-social behaviour around it. As I remember last bonfire there were yobs on the roof of this building throwing fireworks to passers-by of the park."

A decision on the applications is expected imminently.