PLANS to turn a 180-year-old pub in Keighley town centre into housing has been refused, with heritage officers urging the owners to scale back their plans.

Former Timothy Taylor pub the Burlington Arms, on Market Street, shut last year after the licensees retired.

Earlier this year Zentek Holdings submitted plans to Bradford Council to build a two storey extension to the building and convert it into four apartments.

The company's first application was refused in May, and the second attempt, which featured a slightly different extension to the original scheme, was refused last week.

Keighley pub reopening after £830,000 refurbishment and expansion

Officers said the plans failed to take into account the impact on the neighbouring Grade II listed Keighley Shared Church, and made no reference to the fact that the building lies in the Keighley Town Centre Conservation Area.

They had a particular issue with the planned extension, suggesting it be dropped from any future applications for the site.

Design and Conservation officer S. Campbell said: "The proposed two storey extension is not ideal as it detracts from the character of the heritage asset and creates an imbalance on the south elevation.

"No extension or at the most a smaller lean-to extension would be more sympathetic.

"The creation of three new small dwellings (rather than four) could be achieved without the need for a two-storey extension.

"Overall, in conclusion, I consider that the harm is not outweighed by the public benefit in this case.

"A more sympathetic conversion and development could be achieved, that could preserve and enhance the character of this heritage asset and setting of the Grade II* listed building in the conservation area while still achieving three new dwellings and a more acceptable conversion."

Refusing the plans, officers said: "The proposal would result in a disruptive element in the established traditional setting of the Keighley Town Centre conservation area."