The council has proposed to “resist” closing down pubs and any building that provides “character” to the area and recognises the “valuable contribution” a pub makes to community and cultural life.
The draft policy states: “The council will resist the loss of public houses and other drinking establishments (class A4) throughout the borough.
“The council will resist the change of use of any building where the current use contributes to the character and significance of the surrounding area, and to its sense of place.”
The Royal Borough explained that since 1980 there has been a 35% decline in the number of public houses in Kensington and Chelsea from 168 to 110 today – equating to an average of two pubs closing each year.
It follows a public consultation earlier this year which found that 63% of the responses agreed that the council should try to resist the loss of pubs in the borough; and 48% said that the council should protect all A Class uses (pubs, restaurants and cafes, and financial and professional services) that act as a community facility.
The Campaign for Real Ale’s head of public affairs, Jonathan Mail said: “Inevitably, in Kensington and Chelsea, land values associated with pub usage are substantially lower than land values associated with residential use. This means that even the most profitable pubs are under threat without strong planning policy protection.
“We are delighted that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has recognised this threat to pubs and is taking action. We strongly welcome the determination of the Council to protect the future of pubs within Kensington and Chelsea and therefore the social amenity of the Borough. This proposed new planning policy will help protect those pubs which remain and is a clear recognition of the social and economic value of pubs.”
The council is consulting on the draft planning policy until 23 July. Visit http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/planningandconservation/planningpolicy/publichouses.aspx to respond.