MP John Hayes is backing a fight by Cowbit residents to save Ye Olde Dun Cow from being bulldozed to make way for nine new homes on the site.
Members of the Save the Dun Cow Campaign presented the South Holland and The Deepings MP with a petition containing nearly 700 names on Friday.
The derelict Dun Cow, which was wrecked by a fire, is the only pub in the village – and residents want to see it restored and run as a pub.
The MP said: “I think it’s a very desirable outcome and I am very enthusiastic about their plans.
“It’s much better to keep it as a pub than develop it for housing because we have lots of housing in Cowbit and only one pub.
“I have been a long standing supporter of village pubs and I will continue to support them.”
The Save the Dun Cow Campaign is trying to have the pub listed as a “community asset” under Localism legislation – and South Holland District Council will give a verdict on any application.
Jonathan Matthews, from the Save the Dun Cow Campaign, said residents were pleased Mr Hayes was supporting them.
He said: “Mr Hayes was pleased with the progress that the campaign had made and stated that this was precisely the kind of exploit the Government had envisaged when drawing up the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) and Localism Act 2011, a community coming together to save important public amenities and assets for future generations.”