An historic pub left ruined by fire is set to rise from the ashes.

The Boathouse Inn in Saltaire has suffered two arson attacks since it closed early this year.

Now owner Punch Taverns has applied for planning permission from Bradford Council to refurbish it and extend it.

The building dates back to 1871 and, as its name suggests, was originally used as a boathouse for the model village created by Sir Titus Salt.

Councillor Martin Love (Green, Shipley) welcomed the news.

He said: “I think the whole thing will complement the renovation work that is going on in Roberts Park, due to start in the next few weeks.

“So hopefully by the spring of 2010 we will have the park finished and the renovated Boathouse to go with it.”

Coun Love said it was also important that Punch Taverns protected the building before the renovation took place.

He said: “At the moment the whole site is a bit of a mess – it has been left to go to ruin and the fires there haven’t helped matters.”

“It’s good that they (Punch Taverns) are acting now but it’s a shame they didn’t in the summer when the problems were occurring.”

Paul Haigh, secretary of Friends of Roberts Park, said it would be wonderful news for the park if the Boathouse was restored.

He said: “We have wanted the owners to come up with a plan of this nature, they have come up with a plan and put it into the public domain and now we can hopefully see it through, perhaps with a few very minor alterations.”

Mr Haigh said work was needed on the site but restoring it to just how it used to be may not be the answer.

He said: “We need to speak to our members and the Council about further development before we endorse any particular scheme.”

No-one at Punch Taverns was available to comment.

e-mail: james.rush@telegraphandargus.co.uk