A CAMPAIGN to give locals a say on the future of their favourite pubs has been victorious.

 

The Press launched its Be Vocal For Your Local campaign in November 2014 and called on the Government and City of York Council to give residents a voice on under-threat premises by adapting planning laws.

 

York Press:

Until now companies hoping to take over pubs and turn them into convenience stores, bookmakers or estate agents did not have to apply for planning permission.

 

York Press:

However, the Government has announced it will support a measure to close a planning loophole to force developers to go through Planning Committees and give drinkers a chance to have their say.

 

At the time the campaign was set up, three York pubs were under threat of being converted into stores, but only one has shut down.

 

The Corner House, in Burton Stone Lane, is now a Tesco, but The Punch Bowl at the top of The Groves and The Saddle Inn, in Fulford, are both still pubs after The Press raised awareness of supermarket-giants keen to move in.

 

 

Campaigners could apply for an Article 4 Direction (A4D) to force developers through planning or list it as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) to give locals six months to fight off any plans, but developers were able to strike deals with breweries before the loophole was closed.

 

Paul Crossman, licensee of York pubs The Swan, The Slip Inn, The Volunteer Arms and The Woolpack, said: “It’s great news and what we have been trying to achieve for ages.

 

 

“There are certain pubs in York, like the Corner House, which have already fallen victim to this when their brewery did a deal with Tesco to get them in as a tenant.

 

“The important thing is they go through planning now and it gives the pub a chance.”

 

Tim Page, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said: “This is a fantastic victory for campaigners who have secured the removal of a loophole which allowed pubs to be redeveloped or demolished without reference to the local community or planners.

 

“This change delivers real and robust protection to valued community pubs, which previously have relied on communities going through the bureaucratic process of securing Asset of Community Value (ACV) listings, or local authorities choosing to use complex and obscure Article 4 directions.”