A village pub which faced closure will undergo an extensive refurbishment after a community campaign to save it proved successful.

Enterprise Inns has submitted a planning application to North Somerset Council for a raft of work to be carried out at the White Hart Inn, Weston-in-Gordano.

In 2013, villagers were successful in listing the pub as an Asset of Community Value due to the fact it had closed and they feared the village would lose its only public meeting point.

The application seeks full planning permission and listed building consent due to the fact the building, which was built in the mid-18th Century and has since been extended, is Grade II-listed.

If approval is given, alterations will be made to the single-storey extension on the west side of the building to create a more open dining area at the back with new toilet facilities at the front. The existing gents toilets will be demolished, a new entrance lobby will be constructed and the decking area with a ramp for disabled access will be extended to the full width of the building along with the tiled canopy above.

The bar on the ground floor of the original part of the building will be removed and a new, compact bar installed at the back of this space, giving more room at the front where a staircase will be created leading to the first floor. Upstairs, the landlord’s flat will be reduced to a single room, creating space for new private dining rooms and a store.

At the back of the property, an outbuilding containing the beer cellar will be reduced in size creating a new bakery servery area. The adjoining store room will be converted into an extra bar area to serve the outdoor drinking area, which will also be completely renovated.

A statement submitted to the council by Taylor and Co Architects, acting on behalf of Enterprise Inns, says: “Not only does the building have its own architectural significance, it is also regarded as a building of local significance.

“This was clearly proven when local residents, fearing the loss of their amenity, began campaigning to save the inn.

“This ultimately resulted in the building being retained by our client.”