THE demolition of a former Oxford pub has been delayed again due to legal wrangling.

Zaiqat Ali Saddique, who wants to replace the Jack Russell in Old Marston with 16 flats, is still working out the finer details of his plans with Oxford City Council.

The proposals were submitted almost a year ago and have been recommended for approval.

Mr Saddique said in his application that work would probably start in February this year.

But the council has confirmed there is a long way to go before it can begin.

The Salford Road pub, which was sold off by Greene King last year, has now been empty for eight months. The inside of the building has been tarnished with graffiti and gutted of its copper fittings.

Malcolm Kitching, who lives in nearby Lewell Road, said: "Everyone would just like it to be sorted out now. It's an eyesore.

"But if it's going to be demolished, it's not the fact of it being demolished we're worried about, it's what it's going to be made into.

"Most people I've talked to would like to see affordable housing or a club for youngsters to keep them off the street.

"I know the majority of people don't want flats there. Parking is already a nightmare."

The new three-storey block of 16 flats is planned to have 19 parking spaces.

Lifelong Old Marston resident Chris Watkins, who used to work behind the bar of the Jack Russell, said as long as the pub stayed standing there was still hope the flats plan could be changed.

He said: "Everyone still wants it to stay as something for the community.

"Why couldn't they have 10 houses with a little bar or a small pub still on the same site?"

Council spokesman Chofamba Sithole said: "No decision notice has been issued in respect of this application as the recommendation for approval was subject to a legal agreement to provide affordable housing.

"Until the legal agreement has been entered into, the decision will not be issued."

He said the application only sought "outline planning permission", which means that even when the decision is finally issued, Mr Saddique would still need to submit one or more applications seeking approval for all reserved matters – access, landscape, scale, appearance and layout.

Mr Sithole added: "The outline consent would also be subject to a number of conditions that require additional details or reports to be submitted."

The official status of Mr Saddique's planning application on the city council's website remains "awaiting decision".

The full scheme can be found online at public.oxford.gov.uk using reference number 15/02282/OUT.