A COMMUNITY group has been given planning approval to rescue a village pub.

Kenton Pub and Community Group has been granted planning permission by Teignbridge Council to reinstatement of public house with associated accommodation and part change of use to form a new dwelling.

Members of the community group say it is ‘fantastic news’.

Treasurer Jayne Archer said: ‘Obviously there is a long way to go with legal contracts and renovations, but we are now full steam ahead to get the job done.’

The group has raised £160,000 in pledge offers and is applying for grant funding and other sources of finance to go ahead with the purchase and renovations.

The Fore Street pub has been closed since 2020

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

Planning consultants were 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.

The planning statement said: ‘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.