CAMPAIGNERS vying to save the “last pub in Heaton” have urged Bradford Council to turn down an application to turn it into flats.

Members of the Friends of the Kings Arms Community Benefit Society worked for a year to try and save the 200-year-old pub of the same name in Highgate, but lost out to a private developer, Sijad Bahadur, in a bid to buy the property.

Despite having now paid back around 150 supporters who donated more than £110,000 via a community shares scheme, they want planners to block the conversion of the upper floors of the pub, which is listed as an Asset of Community Value, into four flats.

The application states the ground floor of the building, which has now had its pub signage removed, would be retained for its existing use, although the plans list that as being A1/A2, designated for shops and professional services, as opposed to A4, the listing for pubs.

Sonja McNally, chairman of the Friends group, said members had entered into discussions with Mr Bahadur about the possibility of selling the building on to them, but said they couldn’t afford his asking price.

A group spokesman said: “The society, and many local residents, see the planning proposal to retain the restricted ground floor pub as a half-hearted attempt to convince people that they really want a mixed use for the once proud Victorian local pub.

“The society believes that Heaton needs the retention of the whole building as a pub – it is the last one in the village – to maintain the multi-cultural balance that exists in Heaton. We feel that the loss of the pub would seriously threaten the existing community harmony of the village.

“We are strongly opposed to the proposed development as we feel a mutually agreeable arrangement could be put in place to acquire the building in its entirety and roll out our plans to retain the pub and develop it as a community hub for all residents.”

Mr Bahadur said he was clear from the outset that his plan was to convert the building into residential accommodation, and said he bought the pub, which he described as “not being a viable business”, as the society couldn’t raise the money required.

He said: “I have no intention of falling out with the group, but I am being portrayed as a villain for closing the pub down. I didn’t close it down.

“The group could buy or rent the downstairs of the building and keep its current use, my plans clearly reflect that.”

Mr Bahadur said the upper floor of the pub was already used as a flat, with separate access from the back of the building.

He added: “The group need to sit down and decide what they want to do. I’ve not closed any doors on them, and I can’t say fairer than that.

“I’m not a greedy developer, I bought the building because I live in the area and I want the building to be used, not neglected.”

Bradford Council is set to decide on the plans by July 4.