Policy information sourced from the Islington Local Plan

R11 Public Houses

  • The Council will resist the redevelopment, demolition and Change of Use of any Public House which:
    1. has demonstrable community/social value and/or;
    2. contributes to the cultural fabric of the borough, including consideration of any historic/heritage features; and/or
    3. contributes to the economy of the borough, particularly the night-time economy.
  • Applications for the Change of Use, redevelopment and/or demolition of a Public House which meets any of the criterion in Part A must demonstrate that:
    1. the Public House has been vacant for a continuous period of at least two years. Continuous marketing evidence to cover this period must be provided, to demonstrate that there is no realistic prospect of the unit being used as a Public House in the foreseeable future. Such evidence must meet the marketing and vacancy requirements set out in Appendix 1;
    2. the proposed alternative use will not detrimentally affect the character, vitality and viability of the area; or the amenity or future operation of land uses in the immediate area (including ongoing operation of the Public House where a partial change of use is proposed, e.g. on upper floors);
    3. appropriate, documented measures have been undertaken to improve the viable operation of the public house, which have proven unsuccessful;
    4. the condition of the pub is conducive to occupation; and
    5. significant features of historic or character value are retained.
  • Visitor accommodation which is proposed on any non-operational upper floors of a Public House, and which is clearly subservient to the Public House function, may be appropriate where:
    1. any adverse impacts on the operation of the Public House, particularly relating to issues of security, are prevented through design;
    2. the visitor accommodation does not lead to any intensive additional delivery and servicing requirements;
    3. visitor accommodation achieves the highest possible inclusive design standards;
    4. proposals comply with design requirements set out Policy R12 Part D; and
    5. visitor accommodation is designed, leased and operated as a hotel for temporary occupation. Where necessary, conditions will be used to ensure that visitor accommodation is not permanently occupied.

For more information please see the Islington Local Plan