- Protection of Local Services (Planning) Bill received First Reading in House of Commons today
- Selby and Ainsty MP to use Protection of Local Services (Planning) Bill to give English councils the power to close loopholes in planning law
- New Bill has potential to 'empower local communities' threatened with loss of local pub or other local service
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale has today strongly supported the introduction of a new Parliamentary Bill which will help protect valued community pubs. This is an issue that CAMRA has been campaigning on since early 2009, and was a central proposal in CAMRA's recent Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter which has the support of over 150 MPs in Parliament.
Nigel Adams, new Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty was recently selected by a ballot in Parliament to bring forward legislation on a subject of his choice. He decided to use this opportunity to give local services such as pubs greater protection from demolition or change of use.
Protection of Local Services (Planning) Bill will give local councils in England the power to close loopholes in planning law which allow local services such as pubs, post offices, local shops and community centres to be demolished without the need to seek planning permission. It could also be used to protect pubs in particular which can be turned into cafes, restaurants or financial services offices without giving communities a say.
Nigel Adams MP said:
'For too long, community buildings have been able to be demolished despite the wishes of local people. It is crucial that we stand up for them. Local services and especially pubs are at the very centre of our communities, providing employment, contributing to the local economy and to community well-bring. It is time that they were protected. My Bill will allow local councils to opt-in where there is a need within their communities and require that developers seek planning permission before demolishing our pubs and other valued local service.'
Nigel's decision to bring this Bill forward has been strongly supported by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. Mike Benner, CAMRA's Chief Executive said:
'This Bill will empower local communities and offer a much-needed lifeline to community pubs and other local services. Pubs are in crisis, with 39 closing every single week. A third of these pubs are then demolished without giving local communities a chance to save them. Both councils and communities are powerless to act as valued and viable pubs are destroyed.'
ENDS
Notes to editors:
For more information, see our Bill Briefing
'Local Services' are defined in accordance with the definition in the Sustainable Communities Act 2007. That is, including, but not restricted to: retail outlets, public houses, banks, health facilities, including hospitals and pharmacies, legal services, social housing, post offices, schools, public eating places, leisure facilities and open spaces.
4,700 pubs have closed since the start of 2008
2,000 local shops are closing each year
2,500 post offices have been lost since October 2007
CAMRA's research shows that of the pubs that are permanently lost, 31% are demolished, 36% converted to shop, cafe, restaurant or financial services use and 33% are converted to another use - mainly residential.
For further information:
Office of Nigel Adams MP, 02072 197141
CAMRA's Press Office, 01727 798443
Jonathan Mail, CAMRA Head of Policy and Public Affairs, 01727 798448
|