Decision details

To consider the Report of the Leader of the Council seeking approval for preventing the spread of betting shops, pay-day-loan premises, cheap off-licences, fast food off-licences near schools and the loss of Public Houses.

(i)  That the Planning & Development team assess the impact of betting shops, pay-day loan businesses, and takeaways near schools as part of the work on the new Local Plan to see if new policies are necessary to give more control.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Director of Place to do anything necessary to progress new policies through the Local Plan process in line with recommendation (i) above if deemed to be appropriate to provide effective planning controls.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Director of Place to progress work on an article 4 direction to prevent the conversion of pubs to other uses, giving one years notice before the article 4 will take effect.  This will include guidance on how any subsequent planning applications will be determined for the conversion of a pub.  This will require determination by a subsequent Cabinet and Full Council meeting to assess the evidence to support an article 4 direction before making a final decision.

It is considered that many of the issues raised in this report are legitimate concerns and while the Council is working on many of the areas, there is insufficient evidence of significant harm or suitable policies in place, to justify the service of an article 4 direction relating to betting shops, pay-day loans, or takeaways near schools.  However, there is sufficient evidence of harm and suitable policy support to support the service of an article 4 direction relating to the conversion of pubs, subject to undertaking due process to bring such a direction into force.

Do nothing.  This is possible in the current economic climate where further work may be considered to not be cost effective but, on balance, it is considered that the input of officer time to serve an article 4 direction to stop the loss of pubs without proper consideration is worth pursuing.

None