A LISTED pub dating back to 1840 will be converted into flats after new plans were approved.

Proposals to convert the vacant Oddfellows Hall in Idle into eight apartments were submitted to Bradford Council earlier this year.

The plans, which also include the construction of a block of eight flats behind the building, were approved by Bradford Council last week, along with listed building consent needed for the works.

The High Street pub is Grade II listed, and Design and Conservation Officer Hannah Meekings said: "The public house has been vacant for some years and is in need of a sustainable new use which is compatible with preserving its special interest."

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There had been no objections to the plans, which also include a parking area for 13 cars between the pub and the proposed new flats building.

The Listed pub building will become seven, one-bed flats and a single two-bed flat, while the new building will be eight, one-bed flats.

Referring to this mix, planning officers said: "Whilst this doesn’t really provide a mix of housing types within the development, it is introducing a type of unit that is not prevalent within the area and will therefore provide a form of accommodation that is not readily available."

A similar application for the site was submitted last year, but later withdrawn. That would have seen a building containing 11 flats built behind the pub.