PLANS to rescue a village pub have taken a major step forward.

A planning application has been submitted to Teignbridge Council to redevelop the Dolphin Inn in Kenton following a major community campaign.

The plans are for reinstatement of public house with associated accommodation and part change of use to form a new dwelling.

The Kenton Pub and Community Group has managed to secure £150,000 to buy the pub which has been shut since 2020.

The sale to the community group was agreed in December with the agreement, in principle, to buy the larger part of the building in Fore Street with the current owner retaining the accommodation section.

Planning consultants have been brought in to prepare the application to ‘secure the viable re-use of a vacant and deteriorating’ Asset of Community Value, retaining its use for the community.

A planning statement says: ‘By reinstating the public house and accommodating a dwelling wholly within the existing envelope, the development preserves the character and appearance of the area whilst delivering high-quality residential accommodation that safeguards neighbouring amenity.’

The Dolphin Inn was rebuilt in its present position in the late 1860s, following the ‘Great Fire of Kenton’ in 1856.

Originally owned by the Powderham Estate, the historic building served the village for more than 170 years before closing in 2020.

Since it was last sold in 2019, it has been left empty, flooded twice, and been damaged by trespassers and as a result, significant restoration work is needed.

Kenton Parish Council successfully applied for the pub to become a Registered Asset of Community Value which gave the community group the chance to put in a bid and meant the local authority recognised its use ‘furthers the social wellbeing and social interests of the community.

The planning statement continues: ‘This designation reflects strong community attachment and highlights its role as a valued community facility rather than just a commercial premises.

‘The active community campaign, including formation of the Kenton Pub and Community Group who are a community benefit society, further evidences its ongoing communal importance and realistic prospect of continued community use.’

The building generally is in very poor and now dated condition, however much of the original pub interior features and detailing has been retained.

Subdividing the site into a dwelling and a pub gives the community group a way to move forward as buying the whole building was not viable.

The purchase is being funded through the sale of community shares in the pub.

According to the planning statement, the reinstated pub would occupy the western portion of the ground floor, with access maintained to the northwest corner of The Site.

It says: ‘The meeting room is a key part of the community offer, as a place to host activities, workshops and events for all ages.’

The garden area will form a community/pub garden accessed from the snug.

If the community group secures planning permission, it then faces raising more money for restoration costs with a target of a further £130,000.

Initial opening and running costs are estimated to be approximately £75,000 for the first year.

Teignbridge Council has now received the application which will be now be considered before a decision is made.