Changing pubs into offices or homes to be made harder under new rules

The Campaign for Real Ale has previously said that pubs are being “lost forever to conversion or demolition as developers look to cash in on the desirable locations and unique architecture of pubs and social clubs”.

The British Beer and Pub Association and UKHospitality have also campaigned against pub closures, with both largely blaming tax rises and other costs.

Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “The biggest issue facing hospitality businesses is costs like VAT and business rates pushing pubs out of business in the first place.

“Anything that makes it harder to take these important assets away from their communities has to be welcomed, but the government should focus on continuing its strong start on fixing the harm done to hospitality over the past two years.”

In July, the Labour government said pubs, social clubs and live music venues in England will be given a 20% cut to business rates on top of rates relief announced in January.

The NPPF update being published Monday also includes default approval for homes being built around railway stations in England in an attempt to increase housebuilding numbers.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: “By unlocking thousands of homes around well-connected transport hubs, we’re helping people live closer to work, school and the services they rely on, while backing local businesses and driving growth in our communities.”

The update also means that some groups will no longer need to be consulted on housing development plans as part of the process of getting permission.

The Gardens Trust, a parks and gardens heritage and conversion charity, called the decision to remove its role as a statutory consultee “devastating”.

It said it devalued parks and gardens and “makes them vulnerable to poorly informed development”.

Under the changes, the Gardens Trust and Theatres Trust will still be notified of relevant applications and Sport England will continue to advise on significant cases.

Labour has set a target to build 1.5 million homes by 2029. According to official data, external, it has so far built 392,000 homes in England since coming into power in July 2024.

Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly said Labour is “failing abysmally” to meet their target because of taxes and red tape.

“To try to fix their own mess, Labour are planning a power grab, seizing control from local communities and forcing them to accept development in the wrong areas because Labour won’t build in the right areas,” he added.