Planning rules will be relaxed so pubs and restaurants can
operate as hot food takeaways during the coronavirus outbreak,
the Communities Secretary has confirmed.
Currently, planning permission is required for businesses to
carry out a change of use to a hot food takeaway. The Government
has confirmed regulations will be relaxed to enable businesses to
deliver this service without a planning application.
The measures are the latest in a series of practical steps the
Government is taking to support businesses and help people who
need to self-isolate, as well as vulnerable groups and older
people who have been strongly advised to avoid social contact
outside their homes to prevent the spread of
coronavirus.
Communities Secretary Rt Hon MP said:
“We are committed to doing everything we can to tackle the
pandemic and support people, businesses and communities through
this difficult time.
“These changes will provide vital flexibility to pubs and
restaurants and will ensure people are able to safely stay at
home while still supporting some of the great local businesses
across this country.”
The Government has confirmed the relaxations to planning rules
will be put in place as soon as possible to provide reassurance
to businesses and enable them to start providing takeaways to
people quickly.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- The measures will apply to hot food and drinks. Serving of
alcoholic drinks will continue to be subject to existing
licensing laws.
- Permitted development rights allow movement between one use
class and another for example from a restaurant (A3) to a shop
(A1) without planning permission.
- The Government will introduce a time limited permitted
development right through secondary legislation (negative SI) to
allow the temporary change of use of a pub (A4 - drinking
establishment) and a restaurant (A3 – restaurants and cafes) to a
hot-food take away for a period of up to 12 months only.
- Businesses will be required to tell the local planning
authority when the new use begins and ends.
