The derelict Bradley Nurseries site – where plants were grown for municipal gardens for 150 years – is to be cleared ahead of re-development.

The 4.7-acre site on the Bradley Junction Industrial Estate, off Leeds Road, Bradley, had a huge greenhouse and polytunnels which grew plants for Kirklees Council.

The council closed the nurseries in December 2016 after deciding to buy-in its plants from outside growers in a move said to save taxpayers £169,000 a year.

The council had said it planned to sell the site on the open market but by 2021 nothing had happened and the main greenhouse remained pretty much as it had been when it was abandoned.

At that time there were calls by a former leader of Kirklees Council, Baroness Kath Pinnock, for the council to start ‘growing its own’ again.

She said flowers and floral displays were vital to local parks and people’s feelings of well-being.

Bradley Nurseries pictured last year

The site, however, has since been damaged and has fallen into disrepair and now Kirklees Council has applied for planning permission to demolish the remaining structures.

Clr Peter McBride, Cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The former Bradley Nurseries is being demolished to improve safety on the site and assist in the first steps of preparation for development.

“The future of the site has not yet been decided. However, there are currently a number of options under consideration that support the delivery of council objectives.

“As outline plans progress they will be brought forward through the appropriate decision-making channels.”