Pubs, music venues and struggling high streets could receive a much-needed boost under sweeping reforms to planning and licensing rules unveiled by the government as part of its new Plan for Change initiative.
The proposals, which apply across England and Wales, would see developers who build near existing nightlife venues required to install soundproofing in new homes – a legal shift intended to protect long-standing pubs and clubs from nuisance complaints.
At the same time, new “hospitality zones” would fast-track approvals for outdoor dining, longer opening hours, and the conversion of disused retail units into bars, cafés or live music venues.
Ministers hope the changes will reverse the decline of Britain’s pubs and unlock new life for town centres facing post-pandemic footfall challenges.
POSITIVE STEP
Simon Barry, Director of planning consultancy Boyer, which specialises in hospitality developments, says the reforms represent a “positive step” for an industry that “currently appears fragile”.
And he adds: “These measures are designed to facilitate growth in a sector where it seems there is decline.
“Having experience of dealing with noise complaints, and the impact the potential for noise has on enabling pubs, venues, or music clubs to operate, we support the ‘agent of change’ initiative.”
AGENT OF CHANGE
The agent of change principle – already embedded in London and other city regions – would now be enshrined more broadly in national planning and licensing frameworks.
It puts the legal and financial onus on developers, not venues, to mitigate the impact of potential noise where new housing encroaches on live music or nightlife.
A proposed new National Licensing Framework would also simplify and accelerate approval processes for small hospitality operators, including cafés and independent bars.
According to ministers, this would help counteract local bureaucracy and inconsistent decisions, while offering city regions the power to override restrictive local licensing where necessary – a move modelled on the “call-in” powers used by the Mayor of London in nightlife hubs.
Barry welcomes the general direction of travel but also urges caution.
He says: “In principle, the hospitality zone sounds ideal. However, the devil will be in the detail, and we’ll need to see how it sits alongside existing local planning policies.”
The reforms come amid renewed political focus on the health of the hospitality sector, with both main parties acknowledging the urgency of revitalisation but diverging on the root cause.
MOUNTING PRESSURES
Labour welcomed the proposed changes, saying they would bring “vibrancy” back to towns and city centres.
But the Conservatives pointed to taxation policy as the more pressing issue, accusing Labour of backing fiscal measures that have “crippled the hospitality industry”.
Pubs and music venues have faced mounting pressures in recent years from rising costs, staffing shortages, and shifting consumer habits. The number of pubs in the UK has fallen by more than 7,000 since 2010, according to the British Beer and Pub Association.
The proposed planning shake-up marks the government’s most comprehensive attempt in over a decade to address structural barriers to hospitality growth. A consultation on the new frameworks is expected later this year.
WELCOME ANNOUNCEMENT
Michael Sears, NAEA Propertymark Commercial Advisory Panel Board member, says: “The decline of countless high streets has been widely reported on for many years and yet businesses such as cafes and pubs can help generate much needed employment and contribute positively to creating more vibrant and pleasant communities.
“Propertymark has seen a recent renewed confidence from many investors regarding the provision of high quality retail and office space, so it is welcome to see the UK Government’s announcement to overhaul planning and licencing rules to help create a more streamlined process that aims to rejuvenate town and city centres for the future.
“It is positive to see proposals that will aim to make it simpler for new businesses to open in place of disused shops, alongside new ‘hospitality zones’ that will fast-track permissions for potential new pubs.
“However, it is also vital that any overhauled plans are sympathetic to local residents and are closely examined on an individual basis.”
