Wandsworth Council in south London is proposing new powers to stop pubs being converted into shops while also restricting new openings of fast food outlets.
A new planning document for the borough proposes the removal of permitted development rights under a so-called Article 4 Direction. It would apply to pubs that are deemed to be of historical or architectural value and followed “concern amongst local residents and the loss of public houses”.
Separately, in a measure to curb the growth of fast food outlets, the draft supplementary planning document (SPD) suggests that planning permission for additional A5 units should be refused in those areas within a 400m radius of a school which already have four or more hot food takeaways.
The Council’s deputy leader Jonathan Cook said: “Across the country we are seeing well loved and successful pubs being converted into a new breed of small supermarkets. The people of Wandsworth have made it very clear how much they value their local pubs and we want to introduce planning guidance designed to protect them.
“When our new SPD comes into force we will have the powers we need to refuse planning applications to convert pubs into shops. Our next step would be to remove permitted development rights from every pub of heritage or community value in Wandsworth so changes to these building and the way they are used would need permission from the council.
“We have also proposed new limits on the concentration of fast food takeaways, both in our town centres and around schools. This is an important step in tacking obesity as well as maintaining the balance of different shops, pubs and food outlets our high streets need to remain attractive and popular.
“We are also proposing limits on the number of betting shops but will have to wait until after the Government has confirmed changes to their planning classification. Once we know the outcome of this process we will review our approach to controlling their spread.”
The draft policy has been backed by the council’s community services committee and go before the executive group for final approval on 6 October.
