Drinkers at the White Horse pub in Kimpton were given two reasons to celebrate this week when a council planning committee not only refused permission for the site to be converted to residential property, but also granted it ACV (asset of community value) status.

Following pressure from Kimpton Parish Council, residents and the campaign group Save Our White Horse, the pub now has a degree of protection from developers.

If ACV-listed-property is put up for sale, residents are given a moratorium of six months to raise the asking price. The owner, however, is under no obligation to sell.

Spokesperson Doug Jenner said: “No further plans have been formulated by the community at this stage, but the campaign group Save Our White Horse is now starting to consider a range of options available to the village community.”