The demolition of a village vicarage has been stopped after Bradford Council officers stepped in.

Demolition workers were at the disused vicarage, in Cullingworth, before officials visited the site to warn them the council had not been given the required 28 days notice.

The Bradford Church of England Diocese had previously applied for planning permission to demolish the building and replace it with two new houses, but has withdrawn the application.

A diocese spokeswoman said the decision to demolish the building had been approved by the council and had been made on safety grounds. She said the diocese had been trying for some time to provide suitable accommodation for a parish priest in Cullingworth.

She said: “It is only now, as the demolition commenced, that the experienced firm of contractors has been advised that additional processes have to be undertaken.”

In an open letter to the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Rev David James, local councillor Simon Cooke said: “I, along with many residents, am very angry with the attitude and behaviour of the church in this matter. We are, it would seem, expected to stand by mutely while you destroy something people here treasure.”

He added: “At present, I find it difficult to conclude the church was motivated by anything other than a desire to realise the greatest return from the disposal and/or development of the vicarage or the site on which it stands.”

Ian Wilson, the council’s planning casework manager, said planning permission was not required for the demolition.

“However, the developers do need to notify us as the planning authority of their intention to demolish at least 28 days before they start,” he said. “Although they had not complied with the planning process, they had notified building control.”

John Coultous, chairman of Cullingworth Parish Council, said: “The vicarage could have been converted into two dwellings, giving the vicar a small house and one for sale, the proceeds of which would pay for the renovation, and we would all be able to retain this lovely house in the village.”

Vice-chairman of the parish council, Jacqui Guy, said she had “lost count” of how many residents had contacted her about the matter.

She said: “We are absolutely enraged, the villagers are incandescent.”

She added: “The vicarage has been a permanent feature of the landscape of this village since 1864 and residents want it to stay that way.”