A thriving Bradford pub will be knocked down to be replaced by a car park, after a decision by councillors at City Hall.

The Winston Churchill Inn, in Wakefield Road, will be demolished after the Bradford Area Planning Panel found it had no grounds for ruling against an application by neighbouring firm, Pitt Wilson Electrical.

Yesterday’s meeting heard how the pub’s licensee, Pat Robinson, had been in hospital because she was so distressed about losing her livelihood and her home.

It also heard that receivers, KPMG Ltd, which took control of the Winston Churchill when its owners went into administration, had not entertained bids to buy the pub.

In giving permission for demolition, committee chairman Councillor David Robinson (Lab, Wyke) criticised KPMG.

He said: “There are permitted developer rights for the demolition of this pub so that is out of our hands. (But) I think it’s wrong that the receivers have been minded more of their fees rather than the interests of the public.”

Albert Cleghorn, a regular at the pub, told the meeting he had made an offer to buy the pub some months ago, but no negotiations had been entered into.

Coun Robinson said: “The fact that he hasn’t had a response from the receivers is deplorable in my opinion.”

Reaching the decision, committee member Coun John Pennington (Con, Bingley Rural) said: “After we offered to defer the matter from the last planning panel, we have given it a fair chance, but sadly our hands are tied.”

Speaking afterwards, Coun Jamil said: “I’m saddened and upset by this outcome. It’s a community facility and it should have been saved on this alone.”

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