The end is in sight for a controversial application involving the proposed demolition of the Rose and Crown pub in Almondbury to make way for a supermarket.

By the end of the month it will be 18 months since the application was received by Kirklees Council.

The plans have been submitted by Wood Associates on behalf of G&R Lees and have attracted strong objections from the Victorian Society which laments the proposed demolition of a “handsome building”.

Lib Dem supporters in the village say they are frustrated at the amount of time being taken to determine the application, which entails neighbouring land and buildings, despite public backing for the scheme.

The application which would see the listed Rose and Crown knocked down and the site, along with adjacent land, redeveloped providing a new supermarket, shops, accommodation and new jobs – is in limbo due to the listed status of the building.

Lib Dems say council officers have told them the decision, which councillors expected to be made on June 11, needed to be deferred so the applicant could provide further information to address the concerns of Historic England, a public organisation set up to champion the country’s heritage.

The Lib Dems undertook a consultation with 1,000 residents in February this year to weigh up local feeling ahead of the decision date.

In all 144 residents took the time to write back in favour of the development, a response level which the councillors say is “a very high return” showing that a significant proportion of villagers are in favour of the scheme going ahead.

Kirklees councillor Phil Scott, (Lib Dem, Almondbury), has written to Historic England informing them of local people’s views and urging it to commit to finding a compromise with the developer should they come out against the application.

“The delay in making the decision is very frustrating for local residents,” he said. “The village would really benefit from this investment and according to our survey a lot of local people want to see it happen.”

A spokesman for Kirklees Council said: “This application is complex and – because of the listed building status – has attracted submissions from Historic England, The Victorian Society, the Council for British Archaeology and the Society of the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

“It is also very important to local people, who have also made a significant number of comments.

“We expect amended plans to be submitted and following a further period of public consultation the plans could be put before the committee in September.”