Campaigners fighting to save a demolition-threatened community centre have won a reprieve.
Kirklees Council has issued a demolition order on the historic Walker Welfare Centre in Thornhill, Dewsbury.
The authority said the building, derelict since 2006, had become dangerous and must be flattened.
But now campaign group Save Walker Welfare (Again) has won a stay on the bulldozers with a meeting planned with council chiefs in mid-September.
Andrew Waring, a spokesman for the group, said campaigners were claiming a victory.
“We have achieved a stay of execution on the demolition after the council said the building would go in late August or early September,” he said.
“While we believe we are making headway I am still cautious because the council could still turn round and say they have listened to us but they still think the building is dangerous and has to be demolished.”
Mr Waring said the centre – home to a senior citizens’ group for 40 years until its closure – had been “neglected” by the council for many years.
He said that council documents showed that the building needed £50,000-worth of repairs in 1999 but nothing was done. Latest repair estimates are said to be up to £400,000.
“Our view is that Kirklees has failed in its responsibility to maintain this building and we don’t believe it is about to fall down.
“Kirklees won’t let us go inside to have a look for ourselves but you can see just by looking at it.
“There are slates on the roof that have moved but they have been in the same position for 10 years.”
The group wants to keep the building and find new uses for it but can’t draw up a business plan until they know the centre’s future is safe.
They will meet with council deputy leader Clr David Sheard and other officials on September 13.
The Facebook-based group held a public meeting at Edge Top WMC last Thursday. Around 50 people attended.
Mr Waring added: “We haven’t saved the building yet but we have hope.”
