AN eyesore pub which has stood derelict for a number of years could soon be demolished.

Plans to raze the Fountain Inn, Heaton Road, Heaton, have been lodged with Bradford Council by the Jamia Usmania Educational & Cultural Centre, which recently bought the building, with the application form stating: “The building in its current state is no longer deemed safe.”

The old pub has been a cause of concern for some time. In 2012, residents voiced fears about the historic inn falling into ruin.

And in 2014, the Telegraph & Argus reported that angry villagers were demanding action over the state of pub.

At the time, Heaton Township Association chairman Sonja McNally said there were “serious concerns” in the community and painted a bleak picture of its disrepair.

She said water had been knee-deep in the cellar, rubbish was being dumped and there were reports of drug-taking at the site.

However, the owner at the time said he was doing his best to keep the site clear.

A heritage statement submitted with the application says the Fountain Inn falls within the Heaton Estates Conservation area.

“The demolition will take approximately three weeks and will not have any impact on the properties near as it is a detached building away from other properties,” it says. The demolition will not have any significant impact on the Heaton Estates Conservation area.

“The demolition has been approved in the past. It will have no impact or create disturbance to neighbours.”

In 2009, Mahboob Alam was granted permission to change the use of the pub into a dwelling on condition work began within three years, but that deadline passed and it was understood Mr Alam sold the property.

In 2012, it was reported the building’s owners could not afford to convert it at that time.

In October 2009, planning permission was granted for four houses on the site and a change of use for the former pub to become a home.

Mohammed Ilyas, mosque secretary, said the planning permission for the pub's demolition was approved in 2009 and said the site would be used as a car park for the mosque and maybe a Sunday market.

He said the site had been marred by drug use and it was hoped this would make the area safe.

"From our side, it's a positive to the area and we are making a contribution to the area by using it," he said.

Mr Ilyas said it would be gated off and the plans would prevent it from being used for the "wrong reasons".

Built in 1856, the Fountain was once the home of Bradford City Supporters Club.