Shopping streets and local shops will benefit from changes in planning rules, which means markets can be held more frequently and parties can be set up in pub and restaurant gardens without planning permission, the Department for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities announced today (December 20, 2021).
The changes to allowable development rights, first introduced last year as a temporary measure to encourage shopping streets and small businesses during national restrictions, will be made permanent after a public consultation.
Pubs, cafes and restaurants can now install pavilions on their own property without planning permission to make better use of their outdoor space all year round. The councils can also hold street markets on demand, without the need for a building application, to attract more people to the main streets and city centers and to stimulate local businesses.
Housing Secretary Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP said:
The changes we introduced last year added support to our city centers and main roads during national restrictions, ensured businesses could stay open, and helped create a sense of community in our local areas.
Making these measures permanent will help businesses and communities better recover from the pandemic and is only part of our vision of transforming cities across England into thriving places to work, visit and live.
Craig Beaumont, Chief of External Affairs for the Federation of Small Businesses said:
Today’s announcement is a positive, meaningful deregulation move. It permanently removes barriers for small businesses to do things we all love in our local areas, and small businesses will love to see it.
As we try to break the Omicron wave further, this will be something to support the spring economic recovery and businesses on the high street, in retail stores, in pubs and restaurants, in markets, at small events, and in the wedding industry all so badly affected by COVID.
Kate Nicholls CEO of UKHospitality added:
Marquee tents and other structures were a lifeline for some companies during the pandemic and demonstrate the value of covered outdoor areas for restaurants.
Today’s announcement is a really positive step in relieving administrative burdens and encouraging better use of the outdoor space for businesses – it will accelerate future recovery and growth for many venues.
Historic visitor attractions and hospitality businesses operating in listed buildings can install a pavilion for 120 days over a period of 12 months. This will provide additional flexibility while minimizing the impact on cultural heritage sites.
The permitted expansion right, which enables municipalities and health authorities to more easily adapt their facilities, will be extended for another year (until December 31, 2022). The right will continue to support the pandemic response, including enabling pop-up vaccination centers to support the government’s booster campaign.
Today’s announcement is just one of the ways the government claims it is helping local businesses and shopping streets rebuild from the pandemic, including putting in place protective measures for commercial tenants and extending the streamlined road approval process so businesses can continue to eat all the fresco .