Owner of derelict Bradford mill told to make it safe or face legal action

THE owner of a derelict Bradford mill has told a court that he does not feel the building is unsafe.

But despite his claims, he has been ordered to secure the Barkerend Mills site within six months, or he could face further legal action.

Peter Hemingway, 67, appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court on Friday where he argued the condition of the Barkerend Road mill complex – particularly a smaller mill building next to the Lidl car park, was not as bad as Bradford Council had claimed.

The Council had applied to the court to issue an order that would compel Mr Hemingway to carry out works to “obviate the danger” of the building.

This work would include “making safe the unrestrained masonry to the front elevation roof apex and removing any rubbish resulting from the works.”

Waseem Raja, representing Bradford Council, told the court: “On May 12 2025 the Council’s building control team received a call from West Yorkshire Fire Service relating to a building at Barkerend Mills.

“Building control visited the site and noted the side of the building near the entrance to Lidl was smouldering. There had obviously been a fire. Firefighters were searching the building for possible missing people.”

He said the officers found there had been a partial ground floor and first floor collapse. He added: “It was noted that the roof and the top floor had been destroyed previously.”

He said sections of the building’s remaining roof and walls appeared unsafe.

Mr Raja told the court that Mr Hemingway, of Leventhorpe Hall, Leeds, was asked to carry out works to make the building safe, but added: “Nothing has been done.”

The building was not in a condition where immediate work was needed, but the Council opted to issue an order due to Mr Hemingway’s failure to comply with requests.

Magistrates were then shown photos of the building’s condition.

Asked what he had to say about the claims, Mr Hemingway said: “First thing I’d say is the building is not in an unsafe condition and it’s not a danger to the public.

“The building did sustain damage due to a fire, which I don’t dispute.

“But there is no damage to the structure, no cracks, it is not leaning and there is no masonry that could fall.

“Even if that was the case, there is a secure fence around the property that prevents anyone from getting close. There is no way the public could get close enough to be in danger.

“Building control say it is unsafe, however, there is no structural report and no building surveyor has attended. Building control are not surveyors.”

He questioned the ability of the Council’s building control team to say in any certainty that his building was unsafe.

He also claimed the photos being shown to the court were “poor quality.”

Mr Raja said he did not know the background of Mr Hemingway, or whether he was qualified to declare the building safe.

He said the Council’s building control surveyor, who had given evidence of the building’s condition, had years of experience and qualifications in building safety. He added: “It is my position that he is more than qualified to make the submissions he makes.”

Mr Hemingway said he would like the court to employ an independent surveyor to look at the building.

He was told that wouldn’t happen, and was asked if he’d contacted a surveyor.

Mr Hemingway replied: “No, I don’t have the funds. I’m retired, I don’t have the income.”

Mr Raja said: “If he wanted to challenge what is being said he should have instructed his own surveyor.

“I ask the court to make an order for him to go away and do what is needed to be done.”

Mr Hemingway said: “It appears Bradford Council have to bully you into doing what they want rather than listening to what anyone has to say.”

He acknowledged he had no formal qualifications as a building surveyor.

Magistrates issued the order, which will require Mr Hemingway to make the building safe within six months.

Barkerend Mill was built in the 1870s, and at its height employed over 400 people.

The mill was granted Grade II listed status in 1983.

There have been numerous plans for the site over the years, and in 2021 a planning application to convert the two main mill buildings into 117 flats was approved by Bradford Council.

Work has never started.