Last orders for hit list building

The Old Anchor was placed on Dewsbury Regeneration Board’s hit lit of eyesore buildings last year.

On Monday, Hutchinson Demolition began clearing the site by knocking down the pub’s chimney stack.

The building had been earmarked for demolition in January when the council issued a legal notice ordering the owner to act. Regeneration board chairman Coun Paul Kane said: “I am delighted that action is being taken to rid Dewsbury of this eyesore building. Its removal was long overdue and will only enhance the appearance of the town.”

But owner Ishmail Laher claimed the council itself had played a part in his building’s decline. He said planning officers had poured cold water on various ideas for the site in the past nine years, including a furniture showroom and a restaurant.

“Whilst opportunities were there, I wasn’t give the chance,” he said.

Mr Laher said he agreed to the demolition after advice from engineers that it would cost more to renovate than to knock it down and start again.

Hutchinson’s director Andrew Hutchinson said work was due to end next week.

He said: “We have to progress very carefully there. The traffic control systems are up against the gable end so if that falls, it will knock out all the signals.” He said there was also a basement which would have to be filled in to support the road alongside.