Decision details

To provide a steer on responding to the key issues arising from the consultation. 

Matter for Decision:  

On 12^th June 2012 the Development Plan Scrutiny Sub Committee approved the Interim Planning Policy Guidance (IPPG) on The Protection of Public Houses in the City of Cambridge for public consultation from 15^th June until 27^th July 2012.

Members’ views are sought on a number of key issues that have been raised during the six-week period of public consultation.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning and Sustainable Transport:

The Executive Councillor agreed the proposed responses to the key issues as set out in Table 3.1 of the Officer’s report.

Reason for the Decision:

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations:

The Committee received a report from the Senior Planning Officer regarding the Protection of Public Houses in the City of Cambridge public consultation. In response to a member question he summarised the responses as individuals who had concerns about specific Public Houses or saw them as having a community value and other members of the public who suggested that non-viable businesses should be allowed to fail. Business responses suggested that they would not welcome onerous additional bureaucracy.

In response to members’ questions the following points were clarified: 

              i.      Recent inspector interventions had developed a means of assessing how community support could contribute to the viability of an estabishment. This would be referenced in the final report and the appeal decisions would be used as background information.

            ii.      Poor management of a Public House could affect a pub’s viability.

          iii.      The final report would note the consultation responses.

         iv.      The report focused on existing provision rather than new Public Houses. A policy could be included in the new Local Plan for new public houses.

           v.      Suggested changes to the IPPG criterion 4(c) were discussed and it was agreed that the contents would be moved/simplified but not deleted from the guidance

         vi.      Clarification was provided regarding the use of any specific wording suggested by consultees and reference to recent appeal decisions.

Members suggested that the final document needed to be flexible on matters such as car parks and garden space where their loss  could be acceptable in some cases to ensure pub viability.

The Committee resolved to endorse the recommendations with the amendments discussed

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.