PLANS to transform a former Wibsey pub and working men’s club to the tune of more than £1m have been revealed – and are already causing controversy.

Mark Lawn, former Bradford City Football Club chairman, and business partner Kelly Shaw have submitted an application to merge the Market Tavern and Wibsey Sports and Social Club into a new bar called The Garden Shed.

A fire last year caused both to close, but it is hoped the renovation could bring a new lease of life to Wibsey’s social scene.

But the proposals have already attracted criticism from ward councillors who say the development could lead to noise problems, anti-social behaviour and disturbance to those who live nearby.

Co-owner Mr Lawn said the new bar, which will employ six to ten people full-time and 15 people part-time, would have an “industrial chic” look, with a real ale and gin bar, a beach area with hanging chairs for people to enjoy cocktails, a ‘garden shed’ area, booths and a function room. There are also plans for food, including wood-fired pizzas, to be served.

He said: “We’re hoping to lift the area a little bit and take it back to what it used to be.

“We want to bring a fun image back to the area.

“I think people will come on board, it won’t be like anything else there – it will be completely different.

“We’re hoping to create a venue people will want to travel to.”

He added that the bar could have a positive impact on other businesses in Wibsey.

But Councillor David Green (Labour, Wibsey) criticised the plans.

Lodging an objection on Bradford Council’s planning site, he said: “Wibsey village already has a significant number of pubs on the High Street and whilst this application seeks to combine two existing licensed premises, one of the major concerns is the scale of the proposed establishment and the proposed hours.

“Wibsey is an urban village and there are residential properties extremely close to the proposed development and residents already face significant disturbance from the existing pubs in the village.

“A development of the proposed size will only add to the disturbance faced by local people.

“An establishment of the proposed size will not simply be a local pub, but will have to attract in people from outside the immediate area, adding to the problems of traffic and parking in the village.”

He added that the plans detail a 3am closing time, which he says is “unacceptable” in a residential area.

Cllr Green said: “What is being proposed in reality is a late night opening nightclub in the heart of a residential village.”

Objections from residents also raised similar concerns.

In response, Mr Lawn told the Telegraph & Argus: “We are not applying for anything we have not already got.”

He said the business already had a late licence, that it would not be a nightclub and: “We are going to uplift the area, we’re employing people.

“The building is looking shabby. We’re taking it more upmarket, is that not what people want?”