Calls have been made to demolish an arson-hit manor house after an early morning blaze.

Firefighters were called to the site in Wyke, Bradford, yesterday after arsonists set fire to the derelict villa-style home.

The property, which has been repeatedly targeted by vandals and firebugs, stands in woodland in Shirley Manor, where more than 100 homes are set to be built after planning permission was granted earlier this year.

Now, community leaders are calling for the building to be demolished to prevent future attacks. Councillor David Robinson (Lab, Wyke) said: “My fellow councillors and I are very supportive (of the site being developed), partly to stop arson and anti-social behaviour.

“It is a wooded area and it attracts people who are up to no good.”

Fire crews from Odsal were called to the derelict house at 12.10am yesterday.

Crew commander Dave Cookson said the building was being used by rough sleepers and as a hang-out for youngsters.

He said fire crews had been called to the site numerous times since it was boarded up about two years ago.

He said: “It is a recurring problem. It is quite a dangerous structure now.

“It has been vandalised and set on fire a lot.

“It has been boarded up by the Council but people always break in and we don’t know if there is anybody sleeping rough inside the building.

“People need to stay out. They are putting their lives in danger.”

Planning permission was granted for up to 108 homes on the site and a scheme was drawn up by Bradford architects, Beckwith Design Associates. The application sparked controversy because it will mean the loss of nearly 400 trees.

However, councillors on the planning panel agreed to grant permission in April after significant changes were made to the layout of the proposed development, at the junction of Whitehall Road and Huddersfield Road.

Coun Robinson said: “There is a lot of opposition to that development locally but there is a drastic shortage of housing in Bradford and we need to develop it for housing.”