Derelict properties blight many neighbourhoods across Bradford and district, causing a raft of problems.

They can make an otherwise cared-for environment look shabby and down at heel, affecting residents’ quality of life and the area’s future prospects – after all, who wants to move to, or invest in, a place that looks neglected?

That, alone, is a good enough reason why they should not be allowed to stand empty, but there is another – and it is equally compelling.

Bradford’s green belt is currently under pressure from all sorts of directions as developers look to satisfy the demand for new homes.

If they are allowed to build on such land, however, it will severely and irreversibly damage the character of the district and the quality of life of many residents.

Every building brought back into use makes it harder for anyone to argue that green belt needs to be sacrificed.

And if properties cannot be given a new lease of life, then they need to be demolished, not left to crumble. The cleared ground can then be used for new plots for homes – again easing the pressure on our green space.

Everything possible must be done to bring existing homes and brownfield sites in our city and suburbs back to life – not only for the sake of those areas but to help spare others from urban sprawl.