Pubs threatened by potential planning law changes
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is calling on the government to rethink plans to weaken protections in the planning system in England, which it says could lead to thousands of pubs being lost.
According to CAMRA, ministers are consulting on plans to change the national planning policy framework and yet the implications of this could be detrimental to the pub sector. At present, existing planning rules mean local councils have to protect all pubs, as they are considered vital community facilities, however with new laws in place this could change.
Today, pubs are offered protections in the planning system including the need for planning permission to be granted before a pub can be demolished or converted into houses, shops or takeaways. But under the government’s new plans, protections would only apply if a pub were the last one in the local area.
Conversion risk
CAMRA warned that that the move could see thousands of pubs converted into flats, houses, shops or takeaways by greedy developers – even when local people want to save them as community locals.
The proposal comes shortly after a government rethink on business rates bill increases for pubs in England which threatened thousands of local pubs across the country.
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CAMRA has argued that it doesn’t make sense for the government to give help with business rates bills to stop pub closures and then change planning rules which could lead to more pubs being lost.
‘Vital social fabric’
CAMRA national planning policy advisor Paul Ainsworth said: “We strongly object to these plans which could spell the end for thousands of viable pubs across England. Strong planning protections are needed to give local people the right to try to save their pub if it is under threat of demolition or conversion. Crucially, this must apply to all pubs so that communities can save their local even if there are other pubs in the same area.”
Ainsworth explained: “Without protections for every pub, we risk seeing greedy developers cash in and try to turn pub buildings into other uses like houses, shops or takeaways. This would be devastating for communities who would lose a vital part of their social fabric.”
He added: “CAMRA wants government ministers to rethink this proposal and keep strong protections for all pubs in the planning system so our locals can keep serving their communities instead of being lost forever.”
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