PUBLIC HOUSES AND PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

That this House notes with concern that more than 80 pubs in England are closing each month due to permitted change of use or demolition, in many cases without any local democratic process, scrutiny or assessment; believes that pubs make an invaluable contribution to community life in England; further notes that pubs in England are at far greater risk of sudden closure due to change of use or demolition than those in Scotland, where the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997 provides that planning permission is required to change the use of a pub; notes that the wider community value of pubs is demonstrated by almost 2,000 pubs having been designated as Assets of Community Value; nevertheless considers that the protection offered by Asset of Community Value listing to be inadequate; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 and the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2016 so as to remove public houses from the A4 Use Class and place them in a class of their own.