Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to take steps to improve protections for (a) pubs and (b) other community assets against (i) long-term commercial vacancy and (ii) speculative planning applications.

Through the forthcoming English Devolution Bill, we will introduce a ‘right to buy’ for valued community assets, such as pubs and other spaces. This will give communities stronger powers to secure these assets if they go up for sale.

Long-term vacant pubs may also be eligible for a High Street Rental Auction.

Where planning permission is sought to change the use of community facilities, the National Planning Policy Framework is clear that local planning decisions should guard against the unnecessary loss of valued community facilities and services.