Like a retired heavyweight boxer, it sits in a quiet corner and struggles to punch its weight – still as imposing as ever, but no longer in peak condition and lacking a purpose in the modern world.

At one time, anyone who threw the name ‘Conditioning House’ into the ring need not have explained that ‘it’s that big building near Forster Square retail park, the one on Cape Street, just off Canal Road.’ Now, with its glory days a distant memory, the Grade II-listed building is starting to slip from the consciousness of Bradfordians, increasingly neglected, forgotten and derelict.

Built in 1902 as a scientific testing centre for the wool industry after a special act of parliament, it once welcomed nearly 70 per cent of all wool produced in the UK that was taken there for testing.

It was the only Council-run centre for the testing of wool in the country, but, by the late-1980s, it was making losses and was sold by the Council.

Since its closure, it has struggled to find its way. In 1990, there were plans to transform the building into a hotel and conference centre.

Six years later, permission was granted to convert it into commercial offices. But nothing happened. In the absence of attention, the building became ever-more battered and bruised by harsh weather.

And just two years ago, Caddick Developments, the current owner of the building, was on the verge of submitting a planning application to transform the building into waterside apartments.

The ambitious scheme would have allowed the canal between Shipley and Bradford, which could be reinstated in the future, to pass straight through the middle of the building.

But then another knock-out blow. The recession struck, the plans were shelved and the property has now been put back on the market.

Today, Jim Dyson, director for Caddick, insisted his company were not about to throw in the towel on Conditioning House.

And he explained why a large ‘for sale’ banner had gone up on the building.

He said: “It’s more of an ‘all enquiries’ banner that’s part of our marketing. We are still committed to wanting to develop the site, but economic circumstances have proved quite challenging.

“We want to deliver a successful scheme. The reason we’ve put some more obvious banners up is to see if there’s anything out there that maybe we have missed that might suit the building.

“It’s not a case of saying ‘please come and buy this building’. It’s part of our overall strategy.

“The local authority is now working with the masterplan for the Shipley corridor and we would like to be part of it.”

Mr Dyson said his company had been just weeks away from submitting a planning application for the site two years ago before the economic downturn.

He said: “At the time, the plan was for apartments, but the likelihood is that a future scheme would be mixed use.”

Mr Dyson said the new banner on the building had already led to “one or two intriguing enquiries”, but he would not be drawn on the details.

He added: “It’s a very challenging process, but we will get there. It’s a case of finding uses that fit.”

One potential use, suggested by Alan Hall, chairman of Bradford Civic Society, is for the building to be used as offices for civil servants.

Last month, he said: “The Council has been talking to people in London about the possibility of relocating parts of ministries and departments to Bradford because the rental costs are only a fifth of what they are in London.

“At a time when the Government is looking to cut costs, it would make perfect sense. It struck me that a really fine building such as Conditioning House, which is falling into disrepair, could be refurbished to house the men from the ministry.”

Councillor David Green, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, said the debate over what to do with Conditioning House had been raging ever since he first came on to the Council about two decades ago.

He said: “It’s a shame nothing has been done with the building. It’s a lost chance.

“Conditioning House is a major building on one of the major gateways into Bradford and we would want to see a development there that’s in keeping with its prominent position.

“It’s something that’s got to be deliverable. My personal opinion is that we would like to see a mix of commercial uses that create jobs and help boost the economy, but I am realistic enough to realise it may have to be a mix of residential and commercial, because it’s being paid for with private money.

“We would be flexible in considering any schemes that could be brought forward. We wish Caddick well and would be more than open to having discussions with them if their latest marketing push produces any interesting ideas.

“We would be more than happy to sit down with Caddick and other developers and work through the Council’s investment arm to try to pull something off.”