Policy information sourced from Lambeth Local Plan 2020-2035

ED9: Public houses

  • In accordance with London Plan policy HC7, the council will use its available planning powers to support the retention of public houses. In considering applications which require planning permission for the change of use, redevelopment and/or demolition of a public house, the council will consider whether:
    • the public house use is no longer economically viable; a viability report must be submitted and this must include evidence of active and appropriate marketing over a continuous period of at least 24 months and evidence that all reasonable efforts have been made to preserve the facility;
    • the proposal would not result in the loss of a service or facility of particular heritage, economic, social or cultural value to the local community; and
    • the proposed alternative use will not detrimentally affect the vitality of the area and the character of the street scene.
  • Changes of use will only be acceptable where the criteria set out in part (a) of the policy above are met and there is no reasonable prospect in the medium term of re-use or refurbishment for an alternative commercial, business and service, community or appropriate sui generis use in town centres; or for an alternative social infrastructure use outside of town centres, demonstrated through marketing evidence. Where necessary and justified, the council will use conditions and/or planning obligations to limit uses consented within Classes E, F1 and F2 in order to achieve the objectives of this policy and to avoid the proliferation of main town centre uses outside of town centres.
  • If the public house is considered by the council to be either of townscape value or a heritage asset the council will seek retention of the building and any external features of interest, including characteristic pub features.
  • Schemes affecting public houses should not result in a loss of cellarage, staff accommodation or other features within the curtilage of the public house which might render the public house use unviable.
  • Proposals for new public houses will be supported within Lambeth’s town centres, subject to other development plan policies.
  • This policy applies to lawful public houses and sites previously in lawful pub use, whether currently in use as a public house or vacant. The council will have regard to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) definition of a public house when applying this policy.

For more information please see the Local Plan