England tightens planning rules to save local pubs
Turning pubs into housing or offices will be made harder as part of changes to government planning rules in England. Under the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), anyone seeking to change the use of a beloved local venue must now provide strict proof that the business cannot survive, including evidence that it has been actively marketed for sale for at least a full year.
The updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will come into force on Monday and is expected to contain more protections for pubs at threat of closure for conversion to another use.
A previous consultation on the plans only gave the protection to the last pub in the area.
However, industry groups say taxes and employment costs are the main reasons why pubs are closing. Meanwhile, the Conservatives said the Labour government is “failing abysmally” to meet its housing targets.
Fergus Charlton, Planning Partner at national law firm Michelmores, said:
“This an example of decisions on land-use overriding commercial decisions. A good well-run pub is a valued community asset, and its commercial viability means the market will ensure its survival. The all-too-familiar empty carcasses of un-valued failed pubs lying derelict in towns and villages are monuments to this upended decision-making policy. In the face of a housing crisis, planning policy should allow them to convert.”
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