A former pub in Unsworth — at the centre of a shop plan controversy — could be turned back into a pub.

Developers Cobe Consulting this week announced plans to build a bigger kitchen and give The Dragon pub in Parr Lane a makeover so they can lease it out.

The idea has divided some of the 3,500 neighbours who signed a petition against a previous plan to demolish the building and build a ground-floor mini market and first-floor office space.

Andy Carson, aged 31, of Parr Lane, said: “I don’t have a problem with it returning to its former use as a pub. I never had any issues with noise when it was open originally and it stops the building from being the eyesore that it is currently.”

But a resident of Thurston Close, who asked not to be named, said: “To some, a reopening of the pub might be good news, but those people can go home at last orders and don’t have to deal with any problems with anti-social behaviour at closing time.”

A Cobe Consulting spokesman said: “Our intention is to lease it out as a pub. There is nothing else to it.

“Many pubs now depend on food sales and must have a big enough kitchen to sustain that.”

Cobe Consulting has applied to Bury Council for permission to build a singly-storey extension at the rear of the pub, remove a bay window and make external alterations.

The application form says: “The existing building is in poor condition and is aesthetically poor in design terms.

“The proposal is to improve the external appearance of the main elevations and provide a small extension (by 14.5 square metres) to the kitchen which is too small to accommodate the needs of a modern kitchen.”

It adds the entrance would be well lit, parking areas would be secure and the land would be covered by CCTV cameras.

The council is aiming to reach a decision by August 19.