Council urged to demolish former school after fire

The former Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College has been empty since 2010

Bradford Council has been urged to force the demolition a former school after a fire was deliberately started on the site.

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to the blaze at about 19:40 BST on 20 July at the derelict building off Westgate Hill Street.

It is not the first time a fire has broken out at the former Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College, and local Green Party councillors called on the council to take action.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "We are unable to comment on specific details of this issue, as we have an ongoing investigation for which we have previously taken enforcement action and may do so again."

The spokesperson added: "We will be working with partner agencies to identify an appropriate solution."

Green Party councillors for the Tong ward said the site had become a serious risk to public safety and a symbol of neglect.

They demanded that the council force the owners to either demolish the building or sell it to someone else.

"This building has been a hazard and an eyesore for far too long," said Councillor Matt Edwards, leader of the Greens on Bradford Council.

"It creates a terrible first impression of Bradford for thousands of people travelling down the A650, but much more seriously, it puts firefighters, police officers and residents in danger every time there's another incident.

"The owners have shown complete disregard for the community, and the Labour-run council has failed to take strong enough action.

"We need to stop waiting.

"This building needs to be demolished, and the site brought back into use in a way that benefits local people."

Numerous instances of vandalism have been reported since the site closed

The school shut in 2010 and was subsequently bought by brothers Atsham, Azhar and Imran Al-Haq, who own Batley company Apollo Beds.

The BBC approached Apollo Beds for comment but the firm did not respond.

Numerous instances of break-ins, vandalism and fires have been reported since the site closed 15 years ago.

The owners were prosecuted in 2019 for failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice, Bradford Council said.

On 8 July, Councillor Celia Hickson raised the matter publicly at a full meeting of Bradford Council, asking what enforcement action was being taken.

Hickson said: "The council has had years to sort this out.

"The fact we're still talking about 'considering options' after nearly a decade just isn't good enough.

"This building is a danger.

"It's attracting fires and anti-social behaviour.

"If the owners won't act, the council must force their hand, by pushing for demolition or a sale to someone who will take responsibility."

Environmental health services at the council served Community Protection Warnings and a Community Protection Notice in February 2025 in an effort to address the issue.

A council spokesperson said: "These have proven to be unsuccessful, so alternative interventions are now being considered."

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