ONE of Bradford’s most derelict pubs could soon be knocked down and replaced by a development of industrial units.

The New Inn on Manchester Road has stood as a crumbling eyesore for well over a decade, and has been subject to vandalism and fire during its years of dereliction.

But now a new planning application has been submitted to Bradford Council that would see the pub flattened and light industrial units built in its place.

The development will also take in a vacant area of land next to the pub - the former site of a community centre.

The application has been submitted by community group Bradford Trident, which says the scheme will rid the area of an eyesore building and provide jobs to the local community. It says Bradford Council had suggested demolishing the pub as part of the scheme.

It is predicted that the development could create 24 full time and seven part time jobs.

Several plans to develop the site since the pub shut failed to come to fruition, and it has remained an unfortunate landmark on one of the key routes into Bradford for years.

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If the plans are approved there will be 1, 400sq.m of new light industrial space built on the site, along with parking for 31 vehicles and a “pocket park.”

The application says: “The proposal will bring a brownfield site back into economic activity while enhancing the local neighbourhood facilities.

“Bradford Trident have been in conversation with the Local Authority and instructed by the Council to revise the pending full planning application submission to incorporate the dilapidated New Inn Public House.

“With this in mind the proposal is now to completely remove the eyesore of the former pub and replace it with a new build unit.

“This proposed development will create local employment opportunities in the area which can only be seen as a constructive contribution to the city. The scheme will also provide an independent source of revenue for the non-profit organisation, thus assisting their efforts in supporting local people in the local area.

“We hope that Bradford Council agree that the removal of the dilapidated public house, and its replacement with purpose built light industrial units can only be a positive influence to the neighbourhood and people in it, and that the scheme as a whole is sympathetic to its surroundings and will enhance the street-scene and neighbourhood alike.”

A decision on the application is expected in May.