LONG-AWAITED plans to redevelop Keighley’s historic Victoria Hotel are taking a massive step forward.

The owner of the Cavendish Street building is almost ready to submit a formal planning application to Bradford Council to turn it into apartments and shops.

Harendra Patel claims the move will be made “any day now” in his attempts to convert the 19th century building.

The announcement follows a warning last year from Mr Patel he might have to demolish the hotel if he did not receive public cash to subsidise building work.

The latest proposal, which will be privately funded, was this week welcomed by Keighley councillors keen to see the building brought back into use as soon as possible.

But the politicians stressed the need for Mr Patel to submit a design for the conversion in keeping with the Victoria Hotel’s heritage.

Keighley Mayor, Cllr Graham Mitchell, said: “It is one of Keighley’s most historic buildings and was created as an anchor at the bottom of Cavendish Street.

“It was part of the redevelopment of Keighley that went on in the 1890s and early 1900s. Cavendish Street was laid out as a premier shopping street.”

Mr Patel said his company, Leicester-based Cavendish Keighley Properties Ltd, hopes to build four shops on the ground floor and nine apartments on the two floors above.

He said he has been working hard in recent months to meet the requirements of Bradford Council regarding the look of the building’s frontage.

But he pointed out he was not forced to ensure historical accuracy because Victoria Hotel is not a listed building and does not lie within Keighley’s conservation area.

Mr Patel said his architect is working with leading planning consultant, Jo Steele, to put the finishing touches to the application.

He added: “Hopefully, this will get things moving. I think it will be any day now – we’re just waiting for the plans.”

But he warned: “If the planning application doesn’t work, we’ll knock the building down, which we don’t want to do because that’s stupid.”

Ward councillor, Abid Hussain, described the hotel building as an “open gateway” to Keighley town centre, and said Mr Patel’s plans are a big boost.

He added: “I hope the planning permission comes through, and I would hope he makes sure the shop fronts are in keeping with the history of the area.”

Cllr Khadim Hussain, who also represents Keighley Central ward, said he is sad to see the building stop being a hotel. But he added: “In this economic climate, we need to make the best use of that building. I would hope Mr Patel retains some of the historical features.”

Keighley Town Centre Association chairman, Steve Seymour, said he welcomed any investment in Keighley.

He added: “The fact there’s a retail element can only add to Keighley’s ‘offer’.”