THE redundant pumping station in Princetown could get a new lease of life.

The single-storey Rendlestone Pumphouse, on the roadside of the B3357, has been unmanned and unused for more than 15 years.

In 2014, the Times ran a story that the former pumphouse had been purchased by a couple from Axminster for £75,000 during auction by Bradley’s Estate Agents.

At the time the new owners said they had no specific plans for the pumphouse, which was built during the late 1930s for a water pumping station and reservoir.

But now, owner Cathy Riley has submitted a planning application to convert the pumphouse to a one-bedroom holiday let, with a bathroom and open plan kitchen, living and dining area.

The planning application was discussed by Dartmoor Forest Parish Council at its meeting last Thursday (February 22). The parish council is a consultee to planning applications submitted to the DNPA.

At the meeting, members supported the application, primarily on the grounds that the building is a well-known landmark on west Dartmoor and should be put to use.

Parish clerk Steve Cox said: ‘Concerns were raised that the application was for a holiday let, when the property could be used potentially for affordable housing. However, overall it was felt that it was important that the building was used before its condition deteriorated further.’

One resident, whose house is closest to Rendlestone, said: I support the application because it is a sensible use of a building that has been abandoned for decades. It has been subject to graffiti and vandalism and was allowed to slowly deteriorate, becoming an eyesore in a prominent position.

‘The current owners have smartened the building up with new paint and are clearly willing to invest further money to bring it back into use.

‘While the building is not aesthetically pleasing, it is an example of the moorland industrial architecture of the time with identical stonework to the modern bridges at Merrivale and Two Bridges.’

A Postbridge resident, who has objected to the application, felt that the patio doors on the north west elevation were not in keeping with the traditional Dartmoor construction plus wild camping in the area might be impacted.

The target date for decision by the Dartmoor National Park Authority is March 22.

For more information on the planning application visit www.dartmoor.gov.uk/living-and-working/planning/search-for-an-application and use application number 0048/18.