OWNERS of a landmark Grade II listed building have been forced to sell it to Kirklees Council in a row over its condition.

Historic Dewsbury town centre building Pioneer House has been at the centre of a lengthy dispute after owners the Stayton Group failed to maintain it.

The council applied for a Compulsory Purchase Order after the owners ignored several requests for urgent repairs.

At a public inquiry into the dispute the property was described as “of considerable architectural interest and intrinsically linked to Dewsbury’s social history” and it was said it was “central to the future regeneration of the town centre”.

Its preservation was said to be a matter of some importance nationally and locally.

A ruling by the Secretary of State has upheld the council’s request after the report concluded the owners could not be relied on to maintain the property.

The inquiry had heard that both repairs notices and urgent works notices had been served on the building owners requiring them to undertake maintenance of the building to prevent its deterioration, but the work required had not been carried out in a timely manner.

Kirklees Council said it would need to make £1.5m of repairs to the property at Northgate.

Ken Gillespie, the council’s director responsible for regeneration, said: “I am pleased with this decision as it allows us to move forward with our plans for Dewsbury.”