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Matter
for Decision:
On 12th 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 15th June until 27th 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.