A derelict pub targeted by arsonists could be turned into housing for older people.

Bradford Flower Fund Homes, a registered charity that aims to provide manageable homes in pleasant surroundings for the elderly, has submitted an application to the Shipley planning office to demolish the existing building and develop 11 bungalows on the site.

Arsonists started two fires at the Crimshaw Pub in Gaisby Lane, Shipley, in October which left the building gutted and prompted community leaders to call for it to be demolished.

Councillor Tony Miller (Lab, Windhill and Wrose), who lives near the pub, has been campaigning to have something done about the building for the last year.

"It has been a blight on the whole community for a long time and something needed to be done desperately," said Coun Miller. "It has attracted young people and vandals."

Coun Miller said he was particularly pleased that the development would mean that there was a greater provision of housing for the elderly in Bradford.

"This is absolutely fantastic news because we desperately need more good quality social housing for the elderly in Bradford," he said.

If the application is successful the single bedroom bungalows would be rented well below commercial rates to people of retirement age from Bradford.

Paul Hepworth is the manager at the charity which is based in Walmer Villas, Manningham.

"The charity's trustees are delighted to be able to expand their provision of housing for elderly people in Bradford," said Mr Hepworth. "We have a lengthy waiting list and if successful it will enable us to meet the needs of more elderly people in the area."

Mr Hepworth said the charity had people on the waiting list who had been waiting years for accommodation.

The charity bought the land in September and submitted the planning application in late November. If approved, building could start in early Spring and be completed before the end of 2005.

Barker and Jordan architects in Bradford have been selected by the charity to run the project.

The new development would mean Bradford Flower Fund Homes has a total of 165 homes on seven estates in Bradford.

The other estates are Flower Bank, Kings Road, Flower Court, Eccleshill, Flower Garth, Greengates, Flower Haven and Flower Hill, Heaton, and Flower Mount, Baildon.

Bradford Flower Fund is funded by bequests, along with donations given instead of flowers at funerals, from which it takes its name.