LIFESTYLE changes and the "worst trading conditions for pubs" in living memory have been blamed as a long-derelict Headington pub looks set to become a family home.

Fairview Inn, in Lye Valley, has been closed since April 2014 and plans have now been submitted to turn it into a five-bedroom house after nobody came forward to run the watering hole.

The application prepared by planning consultants JPPC revealed there had been no interest in continuing to run the building as a pub despite extensive marketing.

The application revealed the location - in a housing estate - meant it had suffered most from changes to lifestyle habits.

A viability report for the pub read: "The Fairview Inn has historically traded as an estate community pub, but this trading model is the one which has suffered most from lifestyle changes over the past 20 to 30 years as there is a tendency to buy alcohol from supermarkets."

The decline of pub games such as darts and pool was also blamed, as well as the smoking ban and the fact visitors from outside the community would be unlikely to travel to the pub.

Fred Ellis, who lives around the corner from the pub and was once a regular visitor, said: "It's been empty for so long I'm just pleased to see something done to it – it had become very untidy.

"Many years ago the pub was always packed but nobody from outside the estate would come to it in recent years."

The former Morris Motors engineering technician added: "Things like more awareness on drink-driving have been a factor and less people going to the pub – I only live around the corner but I don't really miss it."

Oxford City Council designated it as a community asset in July 2013 after residents launched a campaign to save it.

Husband-and-wife team Glyn and Gina Millard called time on their tenure at the pub in December 2013 after 29 years there.

They then had six weeks to submit a notification that they wished to become a preferred bidder.

But this did not happen after residents were unable to raise the £385,000 needed to buy the pub, and it was then put on the market.

It was taken on by new owners – listed as Mr and Mrs Turna – who have now applied to convert it into a family home.

The proposed demolition of the Jack Russell pub in Marston has also taken a step closer after site owner Zaiqat Ali Saddique submitted more documents and outline plans for 16 flats.

The Salford Road pub, which was sold off by Greene King last year, has now been empty for nine months.

The proposals were submitted almost a year ago and have been recommended for approval but finer details need to ironed out.