UK Pubs Get New Protection

Angela Rayner, the housing secretary, has announced changes to planning laws in England to protect pubs from being turned into houses or offices. The new policy will require developers to prove that there is no reasonable prospect of keeping a pub as a going concern, including evidence that it was marketed for sale for at least a year.

The move comes as 794 pubs have closed in England this year, with 82 either being demolished or converted. Councils will need to consider whether losing a pub would deprive a community of a somewhere for people to gather. The updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will come into force on Monday and is part of a broader shakeup of planning laws aimed at building 3m homes by the end of the parliament.

Pubs, social clubs, and live music venues in England will also be given a 20% cut to business rates on top of rates relief announced in January. The government is about a quarter of the way to its target of 1.5m new homes being built by the end of this parliament, two years into a five-year parliament.

## Why it matters The protection of pubs is crucial for communities, as they provide a space for people to gather and socialize. The closure of pubs can have a significant impact on local communities, and the new policy aims to prevent this. The government's target of building 3m homes by the end of the parliament is also a key factor in the changes to planning laws.

The new NPPF will also include default approval for homes being built around railway stations in England. Developers will need to provide evidence that there is no reasonable prospect of keeping a pub business running, including proof that it was marketed for sale for at least 12 months. This move is expected to stop owners from deliberately killing off trade in order to justify a closure, protecting pubs that have been historically successful.

## What happens next The updated NPPF will come into force on Monday, and councils will need to assess the impact on a community of a change of use. The government's changes to planning laws are part of a broader effort to address the housing crisis and raise living standards for people in every corner of the country. With the new policy in place, communities can expect to see more protection for their local pubs, and a greater emphasis on building homes in areas with good transport links.