A PLANNING application to convert the historic Hermit pub in Burley Woodhead into residential accommodation has been withdrawn.

The housing plan, which had been submitted to Bradford Council's planning department, promoted the launch of a campaign by local residents to save the 400 year old pub.

Regulars down the years have included TV presenter Richard Whiteley and Alfred Brown, one of the most widely read writers of books about walking in Yorkshire. The Hermit’s name derives from an 18th century man who lived in a hut on the moor, from where he serenaded locals.

The campaign to Save the Hermit had won all party backing from local Shipley MP Philip Davies (Conservative) as well as Burley-in-Wharfedale resident and former Keighley MP John Grogan (Labour) and former MP for Leeds North West Greg Mulholland (Liberal Democrat) who is now the Campaign Director of the Campaign For Pubs.

Burley Woodhead resident Nicholas Hooper who has been helping to co ordinate the campaign to save the pub said: "We are pleased to learn that Mrs. Kelly has withdrawn her planning application for The Hermit, but we strongly suspect that this will be a temporary reprieve. Therefore local residents are forming a Save The Hermit Association to have the pub nominated as an Asset of Community Value. It is a much loved institution and has until recently been at the hub of the local community."

He added that campaigners are sure the pub will be able to thrive again.

Peter Down, Acting Chairman of the CAMRA - Bradford Branch added: "The withdrawal of the planning application relating to the Hermit Inn at Burley Woodhead is good news for the local community. The closure of the pub has already impacted the village by denying residents the benefit of an important community asset. Now that plans to turn the pub into a residential property have been removed, there is the opportunity to save this much-loved establishment in order to retain much-needed facilities for the local residents and others visiting the area."

If the Hermit is accepted as an asset of community value by Bradford Council the local community will be informed if the pub is listed for sale. The community will then be able to enact the Community Right to Bid which gives them a period of six months to determine if they can raise the finance to purchase the pub .

In the recent budget the Chancellor announced a new £150 million Community Ownership Fund to allow community groups to bid for up to £250000 to save their favourite local .

The Save the Hermit Association can be contacted at: nhooper1956@googlemail.com