The BBPA has welcomed recommendations in the new supplementary planning guidance published for the night-time economy in London.
BBPA Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds comments:
“I welcome this guidance, which has taken on board a number of the points we made in the consultation, and shows a strong commitment from the Mayor and Night Czar to the hospitality industry and night-time economy.
“In particular, the guidance recommends that boroughs do not use Article 4 Directions, to remove permitted development rights for pubs. This was something we had flagged up as a huge potential burden and which in many cases has seen pubs required to apply for planning permission for even minor modifications to the premises. The recent changes to the Use Class Orders which require pubs to apply for planning permission before demolition or a change of use are sufficient.
“I am also very pleased that the guidance supports so strongly the agent of change principle. This is important in an area like London, where there is so much development; we need to ensure that community pubs are not threatened by new housing developments, where residents can complain about noise from pubs which have been there for hundreds of years.
“There is also strong support for Business Improvement Districts and working in partnership with businesses, which is very welcome.
“In London, our pubs and breweries support around 90,000 jobs and add £3.5 billion to the capital’s economy, each year, and we look forward to working closely with the Mayor and Night Czar in the future.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
David Wilson, Director of Public Affairs: 020 7627 9151/ 07557 405 815
Neil Williams, Head of Media: 020 7627 9156 / 07974 249 779
Notes to editors:
See the Night Czar’s report here:
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/culture_and_night-time_economy_spg_final.pdf
Neil Williams
Head of Media
British Beer & Pub Association
Brewers Hall
Aldermanbury Square
London
EC2V 7HR
Phone: 020 7627 9154
Mobile: 07879003467