A DEMOLITION request for Otley's Summercross pub has been lodged along with an application to build 14 homes.

Developer Chartford Homes has also started digging trial pits around the East Busk Lane site, sparking fears that clearance work could be imminent.

The Horsforth-based company wants to build one block of 11, four bedroom terrace houses and another block of three, four bedroom terrace houses (plus a mixture of integrated and detached garages) on the land.

But campaign group Save Our Summercross (SOS), backed by Otley MP Greg Mulholland, the Town Council and ward councillors, has vowed to do everything it can to stop the scheme and get the pub re-opened.

Members of SOS were involved in a bizarre scene at the Summercross last Friday when they had gone to accept a 'posthumous' Most Improved Pub in the area award from Leeds CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale).

The group had also invited representatives from Chartford Homes to attend but were shocked when the firm's chairman, Norman Stubbs, and managing director, Chris Thompson, actually turned up - then refused to get involved with any publicity.

SOS chairman Shirley Lewis said: "Seeing as Chartford Homes has refused to accept the award, I therefore have collected it on their behalf in the hope that the Summercross will be reopened as a public house, so it can be hung above the bar."

In the meantime she has given the award - which landlord and landlady Barry and Pamela Mills were notified of shortly before the pub was closed last October - a temporary home on her kitchen wall.

Chartford Homes refused to be photographed at the presentation ceremony and said they could not accept the award as they were not the owners when the CAMRA announcement was made.

They did, however, talk briefly to Mrs Lewis and fellow SOS member Mr Mulholland.

He said: "This award is a powerful reminder of just how well the Summercross pub was doing as an excellent community pub serving the east of Otley.

"It is interesting to note that the chairman and managing director of Chartford Homes accepted the invitation to this ceremony, although disappointing that they refused to accept the award.

"I hope that having heard some of the wishes of the local community, which is to see the pub reopened, they will now reconsider their planning application.

"Now we know the truth of Chartford Homes intentions and it is the worst scenario. Whatever claims they make in their literature, it shows just how little they care about conservation that they are proposing bulldozing the Summercross, building on the ancient orchard and destroying the character and heritage of this delightful corner of Otley."

The Wharfedale Observer asked Chartford Homes for a comment but none was provided by the time of going to press.