ADDINGHAM Civic Society has applied to have The Crown Inn in the village listed as an Asset of Community Value, in a bid to protect it from redevelopment.

The move comes as concerns have been raised about the increasingly messy and unsafe appearance around the building, following its closure in December when the owners went into administration.

Members of the Civic Society recently carried out a major clear-up to improve the frontage of the pub.

The building is Grade II listed and located in the centre of the village. Its position on a busy tourist route to Bolton Abbey makes it a prominent village location. In previous years it has been used as a meeting place for village clubs and societies.

Jim Robinson, chairman of Addingham Civic Society, who completed the ACV application, said: “The rationale being that it’s a truly wonderful building and if our ACV is successful then it will help secure it as an iconic village asset and hopefully deter re-development or a change of use.

“We really kicked off the ACV process on the back of approaches from a number of residents concerned about its future, although it ticks all the boxes as far as the society goes, of course.”

The listing of the pub and car park as an Asset of Community Value would have the effect of preventing the owners from disposing of the property without first notifying the Council of their intention to sell. The notification to sell triggers a six-week moratorium during which community groups and councils are able to express an interest in bidding for the property.

If an expression of interest is received the initial six-week moratorium extends to six months to enable groups to bid for the property or negotiate with the owner.

In the ACV application Mr Robinson writes: “The Civic Society has a membership of just under 400 - the second largest in Yorkshire.

“We have access to many organisations providing funds to the ‘movement’ and registered charities.

“We could mobilise the village to help raise funds, based on our village connections. We have an active, supportive and financially strong society. Our board of trustees would be capable, with local, regional and indeed national help, of putting a structure in place to run/manage a business like this or similar.”

The application will be discussed at a meeting of Keighley Area Committee, to be held in Keighley Town Hall at 6pm today (July 18).

The meeting will also discuss an application by Ilkley Civic Society who have applied for the renewal of the listing of Ilkley Manor House as an Asset of Community Value.