Changes to planning law could have led to a mass sale of Nottingham pubs, campaigners say.
Members of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) spoke after the House of Lords agreed changes to the Neighbourhood Planning Bill which will see more protection against pubs being converted or re-developed. The changes became law on Thursday (April 27).
There are more than 40 pubs currently listed to buy or rent online in Nottinghamshire.
This is despite Nottingham City Council issuing 90 new premises licenses in 2016 – although these licences are issued not just to pubs, but also restaurants and bars.
Background to the Neighbourhood Planning Bill
- The Neighbourhood Planning Bill will require the government to remove permitted rights for the change of use or demolition of all pubs
- Any applications for the change of use or demolition of pubs will be determined by local planning authorities in accordance with the local plan
- Currently, permitted development rights allow a pub to undergo certain changes of use, including to a shop or to a bank. Planning permission is required for other changes of use, including for residential use
- This does not apply to pubs that are listed as assets of community value
Andrew Ludlow, secretary of Nottingham Camra, welcomed the law change as an attempt to protect pubs – yet believes it could also be a reason why so many are on the market in the county.
He said: “The concern is that as the Government has agreed to the change in planning law pubs looking to apply for change of use will have to go through this and that is why we might be seeing pubs on the market.
“This issue is also set against the backdrop of rising beer prices from the last budget and distorted supermarket prices which are making it harder for the licensed trade.
“Long-term the change will be an advantage as you can’t close it and turn it into a supermarket or convenience store.”
Jason Weston has recently taken over management of the Salutation Inn in the city centre and believes the law change will help protect pubs.
He said: “Pubs often stand on a lot of land and have big car parks, if you get a property agent looking at it, it is an appetising piece of real estate.
“If they can’t change its use, they will look elsewhere as a piece of real estate is not easy to move if it has to stay as a pub.
“In turn, they might be more inclined then to figure out a way to make it work and offer people the chance to run it as a pub.
“I have been able to take over the Salutation because of the deal I have, which is now hopefully what will be offered compared to the previous deals which weren’t working.”
