PLANS have been lodged to convert a boarded-up pub into two houses.

The former Old Iron Cot pub, in Ruxley Road, Bucknall, has been empty for 14 months and the new owner wants to turn it into two semi-detached houses.

But neighbours are concerned the building will stay empty if the city council grants planning permission because other newly-built houses in the area have struggled to sell.

Two new properties on the corner of Ruxley Road, adjacent to Christine Street, have been on the market for 18 months.

Alton Towers worker Mathew Cowley, aged 30, who lives in Ruxley Road, said: "If somebody moves into them I don't have a problem. The houses opposite me haven't been sold, I'm not sure if they're on the market for too much money but they have never been lived in.

"The reason they're boarded up is because the windows have been smashed, apparently by somebody swinging a golf club at them."

Ted Wooliscroft, aged 49, who works at the Toyota plant, in Derbyshire, said: "Having it as housing is better than it being boarded up, and I prefer housing to the rumours it was going to be opened up as an Indian takeaway.

"But the question is whether they are going to sell. If it doesn't then I couldn't care less about the plan because it will just be another empty building."

Christine Thomas, also from Ruxley Road, said: "It's been empty for quite a while now and I've heard kids down there smashing bottles. The pub's garden is like a forest.

"I thought the pub was quite nice when it was open and we used to go down there, but I'd have no problem with housing just as long as it was occupied."

The vacant pub, which is not overlooked, is boarded up and the former smoking patio is littered with broken glass.

If planning permission is granted the building will be divided into two semi-detached houses with car parking space and a new boundary fence.

A spokesman for the developer, who is based in Birmingham, said the plans were designed to appease the community after consulting residents.

The spokesman added: "It's an old building that's sacrosanct in the area, but we've spoken to quite a lot of local people and they seemed relieved it isn't going to be a pub again.

"The proposal is to convert and modernise the existing building. It will stop all of the vandalism in the area and also tidy the place up because at the moment it's boarded up."