Shop plan for long derelict Manningham pub

The latest plan to bring a derelict pub building back to life has been submitted to Bradford Council.

Last year a planning application to convert the Mowbray Arms in Manningham into eight flats was refused by Bradford Council, with officers saying the flats would offer “sub standard living conditions.”

The pub, on Lily Street and in the St Pauls Conservation Area, has been empty since the 1990s, and is currently little more than a shell.

Now a new application for the building has been revealed – this time to turn the ground floor into a convenience store and the first floor into three flats.

And after numerous failed attempts to convert the building, the application says this latest plan could be the “last opportunity to save the building.”

Submitted by Muhammad Sadiq, the application says the shop use is “thought to be more economically viable by the applicant and will serve to fill a need within the local area.”

It adds: “It is felt the proposal would enhance the area by restoring the existing fine Victorian building and enhancing the general streetscape of the Conservation Area whilst removing anti social behaviour and forming much needed quality flats to the area.

“It should be noted that applicant now wishes to commence the development immediately and considering the delays, continued deterioration of the building and anti social behavior it attracts this could be the last opportunity to save the building from further irreparable damage.”

A decision on the application is expected next month.