A GRADE II-listed former pub building could be turned into apartments if plans are given the go ahead.

An application has been submitted to Bradford Council to turn the old Oddfellows, on High Street, Idle, into eight apartments and to build a block of 11 one and two-bedroom apartments.

Documents submitted with the application say: "The brief for the development is to convert the existing Grade II public house into apartments, and to build a block of new build apartments in the rear car park.

"The existing building is to only have minimal alteration required to make the apartment layouts work.

"The existing architectural features of the building are to be retained, and the existing style of the building is to be respected.

"The new build block is to be of a traditional design, with some modern features to differentiate it from its older Grade II Listed neighbour."

The application adds: "The heritage asset in this case is the former public house.

"The proposed development will have little effect on the building as with the exception of a few new window openings to the side elevation, there are no changes externally to the building.

"Although the internal layout of the building will be altered, there are no original features within the building with the exception of a timber glazed screen at first floor level.

"It is our intention to incorporate this into the new design."

It says the plan will preserve the building over the long term and "prevent it from falling into disrepair".

It adds that the new block, which will be set "well away" from the former pub building, is of "traditional design, built from sympathetic materials and therefore will sit well within its environment".

"The existing site is basically a car park surfaced with tarmac," the proposal says.

"This is not original to the public house, and we understand wasn’t originally part of the pub site.

"The new proposals will improve the look of the existing car park and the provision of landscape will improve the setting of the existing heritage asset."

The application concludes: "In assessing the effects of a development on the heritage asset, it is stated that the works should either enhance or as a minimum not have a negative effect.

"It is our view that the use of sympathetic materials, the traditional design of the new block, together with the minimal alterations to the existing building will at least have a neutral effect on the listed building.

"It could be argued that by preserving the listed Building and providing a new use for it, that this preserves and in fact has a positive effect on the heritage asset.

"The building of the new block of apartments will offset to some degree the costs involved in the preservation of the listed building."

To view and comment on the application, search 19/04197/LBC on planning.bradford.gov.uk