OBJECTORS fear four centuries of pub history could be lost if plans to convert a historic inn into apartments and build 10 houses in the grounds are approved.

The Sun Inn, in Bradford Old Road, Cottingley, would be turned into eight flats, with townhouses constructed in its car park and surrounding grounds if Bradford Council gives the go-ahead.

The pub closed late last year, after there had been a drinking establishment in that location for the past 400 years.

Local residents are up in arms about the plans and have objected en masse, and the Bradford branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has also started a campaign to block the plans and reopen the pub as a community-run taproom.

The plans, submitted by Sun Inn Developments, say it is “no longer viable” to run the premises as a pub.

It said: “The Sun Inn is in an area which is currently well-served by pubs and bars to cater for all social leaders and entertainment values.

“It is no longer viable for it to compete with these other premises, many of which have better accessibility and food facilities to cater for more customers.

“The scheme has therefore arisen from the need to find a new use for the pub and its grounds following its closure and sale.

“The pub building is subject to conversion into a higher quality apartment scheme with the redundant car park and land subject to change for the erection of 10 houses to the rear of the pub.

“The site is not a viable solution for any commercial use. The commercial aspect does not have the demand, business rates and the size of the building is the reasons behind the building not been viable for commercial use.

“The condition of the building requires renovation and the only sustainable viable solution is to convert the pub into apartments.”

So far numerous objections have been submitted by local residents, with main concerns being the increased amount of traffic on the roads, and stating Cottingley does not require new housing.

Carrie Moore, of Clarendon Road, Cottingley, said: “The last thing that Cottingley needs is more housing.

“The traffic in the area has been horrendously congested ever since the development opposite the primary school.

“A new development will only add to the burden of traffic. How can the Council expect the current infrastructure to cope?

“This will undoubtedly have a negative impact on those living in the area. Cottingley was a pleasant place to live but it is turning into a car park.”

Peter Down, from Bradford CAMRA, said claims the pub was unviable were “simply untrue”.

“If run properly this is no reason this pub cannot be a success.

“CAMRA accepts under the last owner the quality of food, drink and service went down.

“There is nowhere like it within two miles, nothing in Cottingley offers the same service.

“CAMRA is totally against this, as is the local community, and we will be strongly objecting to these plans.”