A CRIME-RIDDEN former pub could be bulldozed to make way for a care home.

The Little John Pub, Keldregate, Bradley, was closed by Kirklees Council in June, 2006, after police said it had become a centre for anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and violence.

Now Horizon Healthcare have applied to Kirklees council to build a residential care home with 10 en-suite bedrooms, assisted bathrooms, offices and accommodation for nursing staff.

Plans to demolish the pub were delayed in February following a dispute between Kirklees Council and the building’s owners Admiral Taverns.

Admiral accused Kirklees Council of arrogance in halting its plans to sell the former pub.

While Kirklees owns the freehold, Admiral holds a 950-year lease which includes a covenant insisting the land is used for a pub.

Kirklees Council will decide on the application from April 23.

The Little John has had a troubled history.

In five months in 2006 there were 34 reported incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour in and around the pub, the worst figure in Kirklees.

The Little John had eight landlords between 2002 and May 2006.

That month two men with criminal records for violence, anti-social behaviour and deception unofficially took over as ‘landlords’.

One of the men was later arrested for hiding a man wanted by police in the pub.

There was an arson attack at the pub in July, 2006, just after it closed.