Residents in a street blighted by derelict properties standing empty for a decade are appealing for Bradford Council to use new powers to improve their neighbourhood.

The shops and flats at Folkestone Road in the Barkerend area have been abandoned for years.

Windows are broken and they attract vandals while fly-tippers regularly dump rubbish in the back garden.

Neighbour Mohammed Usman has lived next to the eyesore for 18 months.

"I've called both the police and environmental health in the past," said Mr Usman, a father-of-four.

"Vandals were breaking in and it was attracting drug users but the police have secured it now. We also have a big problem with rats and flies because of all the rubbish. I heard the owner lives in London, but I haven't seen anyone all the time I've been here."

Another neighbour, Mohammed Shafiq, said: "Because of this the whole area looks so bad.

"I've lived here for 37 years and the shops have been empty for more than ten. I think the Council should take it over and do it up."

Earlier this month legislation designed to bring vacant homes back into use was brought in. It allows housing authorities to apply for an Empty Dwelling Manage-ment Order.

"They could then take over the property, do it up and rent it out. But Bradford Council is still considering whether to use the powers.

Bradford Moor Labour councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq wants the Council to use the powers to take control of the two derelict properties in Folkestone Street.

"These properties are eyesores in their own right but on top of that they act as a magnet for illegal dumping and have done so for the best part of a decade.

"We've waited a long time for Government to grant us these powers and now we have them we need to be putting them to use, instead of which we are told that they are being considered'.

"Residents in Folkestone Street aren't interested in considering' the powers they want them to be used promptly to put an end to this problem once and for all. Surely this is a prime example of when the Council should step in?"

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: "Empty Dwelling Management Orders are a new tool that local authorities can use to tackle privately owned empty homes. We are currently considering the implications and resources needed to use these powers but EDMOs are not a suitable solution for dealing with all empty properties.

"In the cases of 76 and 78 Folkestone Street, Bradford, EDMOs would not be appropriate as the premises are predominantly shops not homes.

"If residents are concerned about empty homes in their area they can contact the Empty Homes and Renewal Team on (01274) 437107 or 433523."

e-mail: jo.winrow @bradford.newsquest.co.uk

Council rejects claims over funds

Bradford Council has rejected claims from a residents' group that an inner-city Bradford district is being ignored when it comes to funding decisions.

Muhammad Azam, president of Horton Grange Residents' Association, has criticised the Government and the council for "ignoring" Horton Grange and channelling funding into surrounding areas.

In February, the Telegraph & Argus reported that Bradford had secured £7 million from the Government's Safer and Stronger Communities Fund to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and drugs.

The money is also being used to run environmental projects and social activities. Some £2.2 million of the cash is being spent on district-wide clean-ups.

Three areas of Bradford, Holme Wood, Little Horton and Allerton were chosen as the areas to benefit from the remaining £4.8m and talks have been held to discuss spending some of it in Keighley, Knowle Park and Hainworth.

Mr Azam, 44, of St Margaret's Road, Horton Grange, Bradford, has been president of the residents' association since it started two years ago.

He said: "People go to other areas, they see new developments and ask Why are we not getting that in Horton Grange?'."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Things are very bad in the areas that received funding and it's not a case of ignoring Horton Grange at all.

"We work closely with Horton Grange Partnership and it's an area we continue to support."