ONE of Bradford city centre's worst eyesores could soon be getting a major overhaul if new plans submitted to Bradford Council are approved.

The New Pack Horse pub on Westgate has been derelict for several years, despite being in a conservation area and on one of the main routes through the city centre.

A planning application to re-furbish and re-open the pub has now been submitted by the building's owners, Nadco Leisure, and would see the 1960s building re-open as part of Bradford's growing independent quarter.

As well the improvements planned for the existing pub area, the development would involve the first floor, the former manager's accommodation, being transformed into extra bar space, a function room, snack bar and roof terrace area. A games room and "vintage gaming zone" will be new additions to the ground floor of the business.

The new application says: "The proposed refurbishment and use of the redundant building, redecoration and quality signage will not detract to the character of the area, indeed bringing a historical pub site back into use should be celebrated.

"The proposals will further contribute to the independent café bar scene on North Parade, and will generate considerable mixed skill employment opportunities."

The New Pack Horse was built in the 1960s as a replacement for the original Pack Horse, one of Bradford's oldest pubs.

The proposed operators of the pub have yet to be officially revealed.

If approved, the pub will be the latest business in that area to open up in an empty building in recent years. Last year restaurant Bell a Pizza opened in a former school uniform shop opposite the Pack Horse, while Bradford Brewery transformed the empty Shaw's Moisture Meters building further up Westgate into its brewery and first bar.

And in 2014 The Bazaar, a council backed Asian Bazaar, successfully opened in the long empty Rawson Market building.

On the news of the application, Bradford Council Leader David Green said: "It is always good to see units being brought back into life in the city centre, particularly towards the top end where there is some understandable public concern about the effects of the Broadway on that part of town and what we've heard recently from Morrisons.

"What we're beginning to see is the delivery of more options in the night time economy. We need to get people out in Bradford, not just from nine to five, to revitalise the city."

There have already been several letters of support for the pub's refurbishment. Reverend Graeme Dutton, who runs "The Vicar’s Inn" drop in sessions at Bradford Brewery, said: "The redevelopment of this area is key to the regeneration of the city."

A decision on the application is expected early next month.