THE future of a block of derelict flats featured in a national TV programme and where one of the Yorkshire Ripper's murders took place, remains uncertain.

Last week, BBC show Bradford On Duty shone the light on the building on Oak Avenue in Manningham when a PCSO said there had been evidence of people eating cats there.

Despite this statement being criticised by an animal rescue service, councillors and an MP, it was hard not to take note of the sheer grotesqueness of the location police attended and nicknamed 'Death Row'.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Broken windows can be seen from the outside.Broken windows can be seen from the outside.

Number 9 Oak Avenue was also the scene of notorious serial killer Peter Sutcliffe's fourth murder, 32-year-old mother-of-three Patricia Atkinson.

Known as Tina, she had been out in local pubs when Sutcliffe picked her up while kerb-crawling on April 23, 1977. He then went back to her flat and savagely attacked her.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Boards surrounding the flats.Boards surrounding the flats.

The Telegraph & Argus visited the scene and from the outside saw flytipping, overgrown weeds and smashed windows.

Once inside, we came across debris in the three-storey building that looked battered from years of decay.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Homeless people have been living there for years.Homeless people have been living there for years.

When the T&A asked Bradford Council about its status, they said it was not in Council ownership and is now in private hands.

A spokesperson added: “We would encourage the owners to bring forward an application to redevelop the site and provide much-needed housing in this popular area of Bradford."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The inside is battered and bruised.The inside is battered and bruised.

Two years ago, an individual had a planning application to refurbish the building accepted but it's clear to see no action has been taken yet.

His proposal - external works and site layout alterations to the existing residential apartment block - was granted on June 9, 2020.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: It has three floors.It has three floors.

On the application, the site is described as a "large residential apartment block" constructed of "brick and rendered stone walling, with a flat roof and uPVC window fittings".

Although the site is located within the St Paul Conservation Area, it is not a listed building, nor is it a site of specific scientific interest.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The building's floors and roof are falling apart.The building's floors and roof are falling apart.

In November 2010, eight homeless people, seven middle-aged men and a woman were rescued from the unoccupied flats.

Those who were evacuated from the property, believed to be of Eastern European origin, were taken to hospital for precautionary checks.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The flats 12 years ago.The flats 12 years ago.

In 2013, plans to convert the existing 18 flats to six assisted living apartments with four bedrooms were granted.

With that failing, another idea to part demolish the existing flats and construct three pairs of semi-detached houses, six apartments and associated works got the green light in 2016.

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