Strengthening Local Plans
Planning policies must be consulted before a pub is converted or demolished
Local councils must consult national policies and their local plans when deciding on planning applications, such as the conversion or demolition of a pub. It’s therefore important that councils have strong policies in place that recognise the value that pubs add to their community to protect them from closure.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in England contains several policies which could be very helpful to pubs. Paragraph 92 states that Local Planning Authorities should “guard against unnecessary loss of valued facilities where they would reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day needs” and should “ensure that established shops, facilities and services are retained for the benefit of the community”. This policy crucially applies to all community pubs, not just those in rural areas.