The London borough of Wandsworth has become the first local authority in Britain to seek to formally protect its pubs from redevelopment in a move that could be replicated up and down the country, writes The Times.
According to the newspaper, the council has removed “permitted development rights” from 120 pubs in the borough, preventing them from being demolished or converted into mini-supermarkets, estate agents, homes or shops without permission.
Wandsworth said it was the first council in Britain to grant these Article 4 Directions on such a scale and said it hoped that other local authorities would follow suit.
Some pubs that have already closed have been given protection, including The White Lion in Putney High Street and the Brewery Tap in Wandsworth High Street. The council said it hoped this will give “an added incentive to the owners to bring them back”.
The council’s decision comes after it approved new local planning guidance that “specifically recognises the historic, architectural and community value of Wandsworth’s pubs”.
Planning experts told The Times that an Article 4 Direction could provide greater protection for a pub than listing it as an “asset of community value” (ACV) — a designation introduced in the Localism Act 2011. It requires any landlord wanting to sell an ACV-listed pub to give the community six months to buy it. However, in reality it can be very difficult for local communities to assemble funds to rival bids from developers.
Jonathan Cook, deputy council leader, said: “Wandsworth’s pubs are now the best protected in the country and have a genuine defence against the relentless spread of mini-supermarkets and estate agents.
“I very much hope that other councils will follow our lead by adopting pub-friendly planning policies and then stripping away permitted development rights. This could be a real turning point for our nation’s superb but vulnerable pub trade.”
