<\/p>\n
Southward Council writes:<\/p>\n
All 188 pubs in Southwark have been given an extra layer of protection from development this week.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday 7 March the council\u2019s planning committee considered\u00a0a proposal to place an Article 4 Direction to withdraw the Permitted Development Rights, introduced by the government, that threaten our local pubs by allowing any change of use, demolition or alteration of public houses across the borough.<\/p>\n
The Article 4 means that any changes to local pubs will\u00a0have to go through the planning process, meaning the council \u2013 and local community \u2013 will\u00a0be able to have a say on any proposed changes.<\/p>\n
Cllr Mark Williams, cabinet member for regeneration and new homes, said: \u2018We value the role local pubs play for our residents, and we know that many of them in the borough are well used and much loved by local people. As well as supporting local businesses and jobs our pubs play a vital role in the heart of the communities they serve.<\/p>\n
\u2018This is why we felt it was important to make sure that the council and local community have a say when pubs are put forward for development, to help ensure that changing the use of pubs only happens in the right circumstances and in the right areas.\u2019<\/p>\n
Southwark is one of only a couple of London authorities to take this step with Wandsworth using the same planning regulations to protect pubs.<\/p>\n
Read more….<\/a><\/p>\n For this and more background see the Planner<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" An Article 4 direction from Southwark Council means that any changes to pubs in the areas will have to go through the planning process rather than benefit from Permitted Development (PD) rights, so the council \u2013 as well as the … Continue reading