Sir Keir Starmer has launched a new attack on pubs, leaving thousands of boozers facing the threat of being converted into flats and takeaways under proposed Labour planning reforms.
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has accused Government ministers of drafting regulations that would leave venues vulnerable to opportunistic property developers.
Under existing planning rules, local authorities are encouraged to safeguard pubs from unnecessary closure unless communities no longer want them.
Councils must currently “guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities” when assessing applications to transform pubs into housing or retail premises.
However, a proposed amendment to the planning framework would restrict these protections exclusively to the final remaining pub in any given village or town.
Paul Ainsworth, Camra’s national planning policy advisor, voiced fierce opposition to the proposals.
“We strongly object to these plans, which could spell the end for thousands of viable pubs across England,” he told The Telegraph.
“Strong planning protections are needed to give local people the right to try to save their pub if it is under threat of demolition or conversion.
Thousands of pubs face being converted into flats or takeaways under proposed Labour planning reforms
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“Crucially, this must apply to all pubs so that communities can save their locals even if there are other pubs in the same area.”
He warned weakening safeguards would open the door to speculative development.
“Without protections for every pub, we risk seeing greedy developers cash in and try to turn pub buildings into other uses like houses, shops or takeaways.
“This would be devastating for communities, who would lose a vital part of their social fabric.”
‘We strongly object to these plans, which could spell the end for thousands of viable pubs across England,’ Camra said
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Mr Ainsworth urged ministers to reconsider, adding: “Camra wants government ministers to rethink this proposal and keep strong protections for all pubs in the planning system so our locals can keep serving their communities instead of being lost forever.”
Ministers have firmly rejected the concerns put forward by the beer and pubs advocacy group.
A spokesman stated: “These claims are simply not true. We agree that pubs are vital for communities, which is why our changes to the planning framework give them protections for the first time.”
“We have also set out plans to cut business rates for pubs, freeze their bills and our new Pride in Place programme is investing £5bn to give local people powers to buy assets like pubs, keeping them open for business.”
Planning minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed in a written answer in January policies to protect key community facilities including public houses were under consideration.
He noted the Government was “seeking views on these proposals, including whether this safeguard should apply only to key community facilities and public service infrastructure which are the last of their type in the area concerned”.
Consultation on the proposal remains open until March.
If given the green light, the reforms would pile further pressure on Britain’s boozers after publicans warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget tax changes could lead to mass closures, job cuts and price rises.
Publicans had previously warned Rachel Reeves her tax reforms would lead to mass closures, job cuts and price rises
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Last month, the Revel Collective, which manages 62 pubs across the UK, appeared to be the latest casualty of this trend after filing for administration in a move that places 3,000 jobs at risk.
Later in January, Labour attempted to address the crisis by offering a support package that saw every pub in England get 15 per cent off its new business rates bill from April, with their bills frozen for two years.
This will be worth £1,650 for the average pub next year, and will mean around three-quarters of pubs will see their bills stay the same, or fall, next year.
