A Victorian Grade II listed pub could be turned into a restaurant if planning permission is granted.

A planning application has been submitted to Bradford Council to renovate the vacant Cock and Bottle in Barkerend and open it as a restaurant.

But objectors have said granting permission for the scheme would be an “act of civic vandalism” and that the pub’s historic interior should be protected.

The restaurant would be open from 11am to midnight and would employ about six staff, the application says. Some interior walls would be removed.

In a statement submitted with the application, planning agent Khawaja Planning Services said the property, at the junction of Barkerend Road and Shipley Airedale Road, has two distinctive entrances and “very distinctive stained glass windows”.

It says: “It was proposed by our client to renovate the property and convert the ground floor into a restaurant. Two additional sash windows will be installed to the side elevation of the property that faces Shipley Airedale Road.

“An extraction flue will be installed to the rear of the property and painted matt black to minimise its effect on the building.

“There will be no other external changes to the property. The first floor flat will be used for storage and office purposes for the restaurant.”

But the plan has attracted objections from people concerned that the pub’s historic interior would be lost.

Chris Davey, of Sutton-in-Craven, said: “The interior of this building has remained largely unchanged since the 1940s. Its multi-roomed layout, along with many original public house fittings is now unique to Bradford. Its preservation is of both local and national importance.”

Malcolm Toft, of Silsden, said: “This property is the finest remaining Victorian public house in the City of Bradford. It would be an act of civic vandalism to allow this planning application to succeed.

“The property was on the Bradford Heritage Trail. Its mahogany bar, etched windows and woodwork are outstanding.”