Is Wandsworth the most pub friendly council
In August 2016, it was suggested that Wandsworth Council in London was potentially the most ‘pub friendly’ Local Authority, as it has introduced Article 4 Directions to restrict changes of use to public houses.
Wandsworth Council wrote:
Wandsworth has cemented its reputation as the ‘most pub-friendly council’ in the country by removing permitted development rights from 120 of the boroughs best loved bars and taverns. It means these valued local venues can no longer be converted into mini-supermarkets, estate agents, homes or shops without the need for planning permission.
Wandsworth is the first local authority in the country to publish ‘Article 4 Directions’ on this scale and the pioneering move could be copied up and down the country to help defend the nation’s vulnerable pub trade.
In recent years an alarming number of local inns and taverns, including many viable and thriving businesses, have been quietly converted into other uses. Councils have been powerless to stop them, as owners have ‘permitted development rights’ allowing them to make the change without the need for planning permission.
The fast spread of mini-supermarkets has exacerbated the problem, with the major chains competing all over the country to find new premises and often choosing to convert pubs rather than taking over existing retail units. But following Wandsworth Council’s ground breaking move all 120 pub owners affected will have to seek approval from the town hall before changing the building use or knocking it down.
In preparation for the Article 4 Directions, the council has already approved new planning guidance which specifically recognises the historic, architectural and community value of Wandsworth’s pubs.
This new policy, which prompted The Publican Morning Advertiser to ask if Wandsworth is officially ‘the country’s most pub-friendly council’, now gives councillors valid grounds to refuse applications to convert any of these 120 venues into another use.
Deputy council leader Jonathan Cook said: ‘Wandsworth’s pubs are now the best protected in the entire country and have a genuine defence against the relentless spread of mini-supermarkets and estate agents. We know how much our residents love their locals and in many cases they really are the epicenter of community life. I’m proud and delighted we’ve found a way to protect them. I very much hope that other councils will follow our lead by adopting pub-friendly planning policies and then stripping away permitted development rights from their local inns, bars and taverns. This could be a real turning point for our nation’s superb but vulnerable pub trade and Wandsworth is more than ready to share its approach with other authorities.’
Geoff Strawbridge, Greater London CAMRA Regional Director, said: ‘I would like to see every planning authority in the country follow Wandsworth’s exemplary initiative in protecting its pubs and bars by removing permitted development rights.’
The 120 bars and pubs were chosen due to their historic or architectural value or because they make a positive contribution to their community.
They include The Alma, The Ship and The Cat’s Back in Wandsworth, The Bricklayers Arms, Arab Boy and Railway in Putney, The Plough , Falcon and The Beehive in Battersea and The Selkirk, Trafalgar Arms and Wheatsheaf in Tooting and the Bedford, Regent and Prince of Wales in Balham. Some pubs that are currently closed have also been given protection, including the White Lion in Putney High Street and The Brewery Tap in Wandsworth High Street. It’s hoped this will give an added incentive to the owners to bring them back into use.
The Article 4 Directions were published on 12 August 2016 and pub owners have all been notified. Following consultation the Directions will need to be confirmed by the council enabling them to come into force in August 2017.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Local Authority
- Asset of community value
- Article 4 Directions
- Permitted development
- Institute of Historic Building Conservation.
- IHBC articles.
- Estate Agents
- Planning permission
- Planning authority
[edit] External references
IHBC NewsBlog
IHBC Jobs etc - latest skills review
If you have career interests in heritage see IHBC’s latest ‘Jobs etc.’ skills review.
Fire at Nottingham Cattle Market
More sad context in the host city for IHBC’s 2019 Annual School ‘Heritage, Risk & Resilience’.
From £55K+ costed work this week: Historic England seeks Surveys and Statements for HAZ-related Bishop Auckland buildings, closing 29/11, £13-15K value.
Welsh Government publishes - Priorities for the Historic Environment of Wales
Builders spend 2½ years driving their van new research reveals
Plus almost one year trying to locate a particular tool...
BRE webinar on Housing Stock Condition Database – and suggestions for more also sought!
In every issue of Context, we have a round up of a selection of some of the latest publications which are relevant to historic building conservation.
IHBC welcomes £55M heritage-specific funding for high streets
However it highlights how holistic benefits merit more investment as ‘healthy high streets mean healthy – and happy – people’!
IHBC - Heritage from the House
So what do MPs think of ‘beauty and the built environment’ – As Vaizey asks ‘Could a heritage listing be given to some of our great cities and towns, to preserve them?’!
HE welcomes £40M in the Budget to work with LPAs on successful HAZ initiatives
The boost in budget will help work with Local Planning Authorities in the regeneration of historic high streets that are struggling with economic and social pressures.
DBW reports on U+i take on empty London properties: 2,700 hectares with permission to build and no construction commenced.
Welsh Gov Climate Change consultation – Closes 7 Dec
The Historic Environment Group is launching a consultation on their draft Historic Environment & Climate Change: Sector Adaptation Plan.
Cadw - Understanding Listing in Wales
Understanding why and how buildings are listed this provides an introduction for owners, occupiers and agents about what listing means for them.
The Scottish Parliament’s SPICe update on Brexit, from its Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee is now out.
Parliamentary HCLG Committee reports on Land Value Capture
‘Reform taxes and charges to claim more’ and consider ‘Local Infrastructure Tariff’.
First picture of the great glass elevator planned at Battersea Power Station
The first images of how the cylindrical lift will look when it launches in 2021 were released by the developers of the £9 billion regeneration scheme.
New commission announced to champion beauty in the built environment in England
The commission to promote better design and style of homes is to be chaired by conservative philosopher and author Sir Roger Scruton.
Public to have say on new National Parks for England - closes 18/12
The Government is inviting views on how England’s 10 National Parks and 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) meet the nation’s needs.
Pathways into Construction - reaching out to under-represented groups
£5M boost from CITB to get hard-to-reach candidates into construction with new Pathways into Construction.
Introducing Pugin and his vision of a Gothic England to a younger audience
Pugin Society: Illustrator of children’s book inspired by Pugin’s Gothic vision – ‘Bringing Pugin to a younger readership’.