‘SAVE THE SHIP’ CAMPAIGN
Question by Sir Nicholas Soames MP on Community Pubs in support of the 'Save the Ship' Campaign in Cuckfield.
Monday 10th November, 2014
Oral Questions - Communities and Local Government
Community Pubs
Sir Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex) (Con): Is my hon. Friend aware of the serial bad behaviour by the Co-op in my constituency and others in the south, where it is taking over pubs and converting them into shops, often on very unsatisfactory sites? The Ship Inn in Cuckfield in my constituency is uniquely badly placed to serve as a Co-op. Will he look at what he can do to review the article 4 direction scheme, and to give general instructions about where such shops should be sited?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Kris Hopkins): I commend my right hon. Friend for his support of the local pub. The article 4 direction scheme is strong, and it gives councils the opportunity to intervene. I know that there is a passionate campaign to support to Ship Inn. I would welcome the opportunity to meet the campaigners, and I will try to support them where I can.
Sir Nicholas has also signed Early Day Motion 208 – ‘DEMOLITION AND CHANGE OF USE OF PUB BUILDINGS’
“That this House believes that permitted development rights are leaving pubs in England vulnerable to demolition or conversion to a range of retail uses without planning permission; further believes, in light of evidence from the Campaign for Real Ale, that two pubs a week are converted to supermarkets, and that these planning loopholes are contributing to the loss of valued community amenities; is concerned that local people are being denied a say in the future of their neighbourhoods; and so urges the Government to bring forward amendments to the General Permitted Development Order 1995 so that any demolition or change of use involving the loss of a pub would require planning permission.”