An Oxfordshire pub’s plans to refurb its kitchen have been objected to by the council.

The Dolphin on St Mary’s Street in Wallingford was inspected by South Oxfordshire District Council’s Environmental Health team on Thursday, May 2.

It was awarded a three-out-of-five hygiene rating, being described as “generally satisfactory” but the inspector raised the kitchen layout as a problem.

In response, the Greene King watering hole submitted plans to South Oxfordshire District Council on Friday, September 27 to refurb the kitchen and the interior of the pub.

READ MORE: Dead body found by police in Oxford river

Inside The Dolphin on St Mary's Street in Wallingford.Inside The Dolphin on St Mary's Street in Wallingford. (Image: The Dolphin)

The works include alterations to both the interior and exterior of the listed building but no assistance or prior advice had been sought from the local authority about the application.

Yet these proposals have been objected to by Wallingford Town Council’s Planning Committee with a response issued on Wednesday, October 16.

The council comments said: “It was proposed by Councillor Hendrie, and seconded by Councillor Acreman, and resolved unanimously that a holding objection be submitted to the Planning Authority.

“[This is] due to significant concerns over the proposed removal of the chimney breast and insufficient detail being provided in the application on this detail.”

The consultation period started on Tuesday, October 1, and will be brought to a close on Wednesday, October 30 with a final decision targeted for Friday, November 22.

READ MORE: Russell Brand embroiled in Oxfordshire country pub battle

The proposed floor plan of the pub.The proposed floor plan of the pub. (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council)

A team member from the Dolphin pub previously said: "We will take their guidance when reinstalling our kitchen.

"The paperwork is hard to keep on top of, as there’s just so much of it that has to be filled in now.

"We work hard within our very busy little kitchen to make sure it’s clean and organised."

Earlier this year The Dolphin pub won a Community Pub of the Year award across the Greene King pubs in the UK. The Dolphin - sometimes known as 'The Dolly' - was praised for its support of local charities. 

The traditional pub has a Trip Advisor rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, and also recently picked up a Greene King's Community Pub of the Year award for its wide range of events and community initiatives.

It has been a rough year for the popular watering hole so far in 2024 with the pub also being hit by flash flooding in August.

Emma Cox, manager of The Dolphin in Wallingford, at the time said she has "never seen anything like it".

READ MORE: Oxfordshire pub staff handled raw meat and didn't wash hands

Speaking to the Oxford Mail the day after the storm on Friday, August 2, Ms Cox said: "It's lucky nobody got seriously hurt yesterday.

"It just came all the way through the building, it affected our private accommodation... it came through our ceilings.

"It's just insane - we used everything we could to try and pick up the water."

Despite the storm only lasting for no longer than 20 minutes, extensive damage damaged was dealt to the pub and the bar was forced to temporarily close.

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app