A FORMER glove factory dating back to 1900 is set to be demolished.

An application has been submitted to Worcester City Council for permission to demolish the industrial buildings at units 1-4 in Sunnyside Road, Barbourne, which have been vacant for more than a year.

No commercially viable use has been found for the buildings, says the applicant, Eldad Aizenberg.

Green party county councillor for the ward, Matthew Jenkins, said: “It is a shame that the buildings cannot be occupied by local businesses, but if it is not fit for purpose then something needs to be done.

“It is not right for buildings to lie empty for years and years. Ideally the next best thing will be for new affordable homes to occupy the land instead.”

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The application was submitted by Mr Aizenberg on November 29, 2019. It does not state what would replace the demolished buildings.

James Dinn, a city council archaeological officer, said: “The building to be demolished originated as a purpose-built glove factory; built in 1900 and rebuilt several times.

“Whilst it is disappointing that it cannot be retained the opportunity should be taken to get a photographic record of the buildings before demolition.”

The demolition is expected to commence on January 21 and is estimated to take two months.

The proposed method of demolition will require fencing to be erected along the Sunnyside Road frontage with lockable gates.

A scaffold will be put up in the garden of number 52 Sunnyside Road so that the side of Unit 3 and Unit 4 can be demolished “by hand.”

It is intended that the fencing and the existing paving and floor slabs will remain until a redevelopment plan is approved.

Chris Dobbs, a city council landscape officer, said: “Demolition of such old, large industrial buildings should be accompanied with at least a BAT (best available technique to avoid harm to the environment) assessment and/or a full BAT survey if that is identified as necessary.”

Another environmental constraint listed on the application is the tree protection orders that are in place near the demolition site.

Previous occupiers of units 2-4 were the Worcestershire Group Training Association, now located in McKenzie Way, Warndon.