A long-closed village pub could be given a new lease of life after plans were submitted to extend and refurbish the building as part of efforts to reopen it for the community.
A planning application has been lodged with Teignbridge District Council seeking permission for extensions and alterations to the Red Lion Inn, Tedburn St Mary, Devon. The application has been submitted by Leah Fitzturner.
According to the Design, Access and Heritage Statement submitted with the application, the proposals are intended to support the reopening of the vacant pub by improving its layout, appearance and long-term viability. The document states the premises have been closed since July 2022 and were registered as an Asset of Community Value on December 15, 2023.
The plans include demolishing the existing entrance porch and replacing it with a larger pitched-roof extension on the front of the building. The extension would create a new entrance while providing additional eating and drinking space inside the pub.
Further proposals include replacing the existing flat roofs on the south and west elevations with a pitched roof, installing new windows, doors, fascias, soffits, gutters and downpipes, and improving the front beer garden with new paving and planting.
The planning statement says the applicants are committed to re-establishing the Red Lion Inn as a traditional village pub serving food and drink, adding that enlarging the customer areas and kitchen is considered necessary to create a more sustainable business.
The document also notes that planning permission was granted on Wednesday, July 24 for the conversion of the building into one flat and four homes. It says that application attracted significant public interest, with representations highlighting the importance of retaining the pub as a community facility.
The submitted plans state the proposed extensions would increase the building’s gross internal floor area from 270.6 square metres to 317 square metres. Access and parking arrangements would remain unchanged, while the site is not considered to be at risk of flooding and no trees would be affected by the development.
The Design, Access and Heritage Statement concludes that the proposals have been developed to improve the operation and longevity of the existing pub while respecting its surroundings, and asks Teignbridge District Council to support the application.
