The Petition of residents of the Dudley North constituency,
Declares that the Petitioners are opposed to the proposal to close the Seven Stars public house on Gospel End Road in Sedgley and are opposed to the retail development plans for the site.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to encourage Marston's PLC to reconsider the closure of the Seven Stars public house, Gospel End Road, Sedgley.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Ian Austin, Official Report, 4 March 2015; Vol. 593, c. 1046.]
[P001446]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government:
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government is aware of the concerns some people have about losing their community pubs, and the Government have made clear their commitment to protecting those pubs that most benefit the community.
Through the Community Right to Bid the Government have given people the power to list local buildings as Assets of Community Value. So far this has included over 600 pubs. In addition, the Government have recently introduced new legislation which means that, from 6th April 2015, the listing of a pub as an Asset of Community Value will trigger the disapplication of the permitted development rights that allow the change of use or demolition of a pub without the need for planning permission.
This will mean that, where a pub is listed as an Asset of Community Value, planning permission will be required for its change of use or demolition. This will enable the local planning authority to determine the application in accordance with its local plan, any neighbourhood plan, and national policy, and provide an opportunity for local people to comment on any proposals.