In its response to a Government issues paper on how change of use is handled in the planning system, the consumer organisation claims reform is essential because the system fails to give sufficient protection to community pubs.
Under the current system pubs can be converted into shops, professional and financial services offices, restaurants and cafés, without applying for planning permission. This means local authorities and local people have little influence over a pub’s future.
CAMRA has asked the Government to consider creating a separate use-class category for pubs, which would mean that any change of use would require planning permission. It would also ensure that there is local consultation and an option to save the pub before it is lost.
In its submission it has called on the Government to liberalise the current planning laws, so that former pubs (which are now shops, services or restaurants) can be turned back into pubs without planning permission. It also wants to extend protection for pubs threatened with demolition.
CAMRA has also suggested that local development orders (LDOs), should be allowed to restrict development rights to support the retention of key community amenities like pubs.
An LDO grants a local planning authority the ability to introduce a new permitted development right — this allows businesses to undertake minor developments without submitting a planning application.
However, CAMRA “strong-ly opposes” any weakening of the current protection given to pubs in planning law through liberalising proposals.
CAMRA campaigns manager Emily Ryans said: “I hope this will be the first step in changing planning law to extend protection for our essential community pubs.
“Too many viable pubs are lost every week due to the weakness of current planning law.
“There are a few great examples of pubs that have been saved by local inter-vention and continue to flourish — but this should be the norm, rather than the exception.”