Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to implement adequate permanent planning protections to help pubs to remain open; and if he will make a statement.

From 6 April 2015, the permitted development rights for the change of use or demolition are removed for those pubs the community has demonstrated that it values the most by having nominated them as an Asset of Community Value. Permitted development rights do not apply for as long as the pub is nominated or listed as an Asset of Community Value, and a planning application is required for the change of use or demolition of the building. Any pub can be nominated as an Asset of Community Value.