LONG-AWAITED plans to knock down a former pub have been revealed.

The Brierfield Hotel public house in Blackburn Road would be demolished if the plans by a local mosque are given the go ahead. The fenced off building, which has been closed for more than three years, would be flattened to make way for a new Islamic community facility.

Masjid-e-Salaam Trust, which is currently based elsewhere in Astley Bridge, said the centre would incorporate a Madrassah and prayer hall.

A spokesman said: “We are excited about the proposed plans as a lot of care and thought has gone into the design of the community development. More importantly the derelict site will be no more, and a brand new purpose built community facility will be in situ. The centre will be offering facilities and events to the whole of the Astley Bridge and wider community”

Further details of the redevelopment are set to be revealed at a later stage, according to the planning application.

It said: “This phased approach would allow demolition to take place in advance of a planning application being submitted for redevelopment and is in the interests of health and safety. It likely that both neighbours and the emergency services will be keen to see a permanent resolution to persons entering the property unauthorised.”

The Old English revival style building was originally home to the daughter of William Mather, a textile factory manager of Park Terrace, Eagley Bank.

It is believed to have be built at the beginning of the 20th century.

Following a series of extensions, it was converted to a public house around 1980. The property is opposite the grade-II listed Holden Mill ­— now the Cottonworks

Planning committee chairman John Walsh offered a word of caution for the Islamic organisation.

He said: “I would say to anybody with plans to demolish, they may get permission to demolish, but not for any of their plans after that.”

The application to demolish the pub is set to be decided by town hall planners unless ward councillors ask for it to be discussed by the planning committee.