PLANS to extend and refurbish a Teignbridge pub that has been closed since 2022 have been submitted to planners ahead of its Easter reopening.

Submitted by EGN Services Ltd, the application - reference 26/00017/FUL - is seeking permission from Teignbridge Council to partially extend the Red Lion Inn, Tedburn St Mary.

It also includes provision for widespread refurbishment, chiefly the replacement of existing windows, doors, fascias, soffits, gutters and down pipes.

The pub has been closed since 2022 and has remained empty ever since, despite being registered as an Asset of Community Value in the following year.

But in spite of this status, the future of the Red Lion Inn remained uncertain; in 2024, permission was granted to convert the pub into houses, seemingly sealing the pub’s fate.

However, new owners, EGN Services Ltd, a family-owned investment group are keen for the Red Lion Inn to open its doors as a public house once again

The design, access and heritage statement for 26/00017/FUL says: ‘The applicants are committed to re establishing the Red Lion Inn as a viable and valuable asset to Tedburn St Mary re-asserting itself as traditional local pub offering a destination for good quality local food and drink.

‘In order to facilitate this it is imperative that the existing pub arrangement is sensitively refurbished and upgraded to offer a more sustainable and viable pub layout and improved visitor experience.

‘In order to achieve this it is imperative that the public front of house bar, eating and drinking areas are improved and increased in size.

‘In addition, the existing small restaurant kitchen needs to be increased in sized.’