A CAMPAIGN is being stepped up to save a community pub premises.

The Cross Roads Inn closed about seven months ago, and is being marketed for sale or lease.

Prospect Estates Ltd, which owns the building, has also applied to Bradford Council for outline permission to demolish the premises and replace it with up to 30 residential units.

Now – in the latest move to protect the landmark building, which is on the junction of Haworth Road and Halifax Road at Cross Roads – the local parish council may buy it.

Community feedback is being sought, and a public meeting takes place at Lees Primary School this Saturday (May 20), at 1pm.

All residents interested in the future of the site are being urged to attend.

A Cross Roads Parish Council spokesperson says: "Since a public meeting held in March, a steering group working to save the Cross Roads Inn has been seeking advice, establishing the best way forward in terms of raising funds to purchase the building and writing a comprehensive business plan.

"We have received the very substantial and detailed business plan from the steering group, which is looking to run the pub on a day-to-day basis, if the parish council can purchase it.

"The parish council has agreed to move the project forward by establishing the possibility of borrowing money to purchase the freehold of the Cross Roads Inn and also cover renovation costs.

"At the public meeting on Saturday, further details will be given of how the project to save our oldest surviving community building could move forward and any implications for local residents will be explained.

"The parish council will be asking residents if they support the proposal to buy the pub, and consider the available options of how to pay back any loan that may be required to make the purchase.

"It is vitally important, for this proposal to progress any further, that all residents turn up and show a keen interest in the process.

"Without that engagement, it is highly unlikely the proposal will be able to progress.

"We look forward to seeing people at the meeting."