An early-morning drug raid at a derelict pub site in High Wycombe has prompted frustration from nearby residents – who have called for the dilapidated building to be turned into a community hub.

Police swooped on the Jolly Bodger in Chairborough Road at 3.50am on Wednesday morning and discovered cannabis and items used for its cultivation.

Frustrated resident, Muddasar Iqbal, said the pub has fallen into disrepair since it closed around 10 years ago – and it has been used for a number of illegal activities, including flytipping and drugs.

He and other residents want to the “old, neglected” building to be turned into a community park or hub for local people.

Complaints were raised in 2015 about the state of the site, with concerns that dumped rubbish in the car park presented a health hazard.

The area surrounding the pub looks set to be given a major makeover if ambitious plans by Red Kite Community Housing are given the green light – but the pub itself will not be part of the overhaul.

Red Kite owns the freehold of the land, but the lease – which runs until 2067 – was originally granted in 1968 to a brewery, who built the pub.

The lease was sold to private individuals in 2010.

A spokesman for Red Kite said they were “disappointed” to hear that there had been illegal activity at the site and urged residents to report any suspicious activity to the police and to them.

They said: “We will be monitoring developments carefully over the coming weeks and will take action if appropriate. We have previously taken action against the leaseholder, to enforce the conditions of the lease and will continue to do so.

“We encourage residents to report anything of concern directly to us as well as to the police.

“Although we have ambitions to regenerate the Castlefield estate, subject to planning permission, this does not include the Jolly Bodger site due to the existing long lease of the land.

“Last Tuesday (October 30), we held a very successful consultation event at the Castlefield flats where we are planning to build approximately 180 new homes.

“More than 80 people came along to the event to share their views on our plans.

“Having analysed all the feedback forms we have overwhelming support from everyone who came along. No one was against the scheme, in fact the majority of people indicated they just want to see it happen and are keen for building work to start.

“We will be submitting our latest planning application to Wycombe District Council within the next few weeks and are hopeful that this time it will be successful.”

Police said no one was arrested in the Jolly Bodger raid and investigations are ongoing.