CAMRA's pub protection measures spark concern
CAMRA’s Greater London region called for increased planning protection for pubs last week to slow the rate of closures in the capital, and submitted a report to Johnson, following a public consultation on the draft of further alterations to the London Plan, which closed on 10 April.
It asked Johnson to consider three measures:
- The removal of permitted development rights on all London pubs. This would result in any future changeof use being subject to planning consent and, therefore, allowing Londoners a voice in the process.
- The option for London boroughs to refuse change of use on any pub that is registered as an asset of community value.
- The protection of pub use by planning conditions on mixed-use developments or partial residential conversions.
'Restrictive'
However, Everard Cole managing director Tom Nichols questioned whether the proposals were “simply a reaction to political lobbying and pressure groups with a blanket approach that does not account for individual circumstances”.
“This proposal has the potential to restrict the natural flow of licensed businesses to evolve and adapt to changes in local area demographics and consumer trends,” he told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser.
“While this does have the potential to restrict profiteering by pub owners looking to sell for higher alternate uses, it also has the potential to detrimentally impact value for all pub owners.”
'Vulnerable'
Geoff Strawbridge, regional director at CAMRA, said: “While we welcome the added recognition of pubs within the draft of further alterations to the London Plan, London property prices make pubs especially vulnerable to speculative purchase for alternative site uses.
“Given the vital and unique role that pubs play within our communities, the demolition or change of use of any pub should now be subject to planning controls.”
