Pubs campaigners on the verge of victory

One aim of The Press' Be Vocal For Your Local appeal is to give people a say on the future of their watering holes by persuading City of York Council to force companies to apply for planning permission before converting locals.

The move needs the council to pass an "Article 4" order, and Green Party councillors will now submit a motion calling for such a move at the full council meeting on December 11.

It has been backed by the Liberal Democrats, while Labour and the Conservatives backed the sentiment and said they might support it. The support of either one of those parties would be enough to swing the vote on the hung council.

Three of York's pubs - The Saddle Inn, The Punch Bowl and The Corner Horse - could soon be turned into convenience stores if supermarket-giants are successful. The Corner House has already closed.

Green Party leader Andy D’Agorne said: "I hope this will get cross-party support to quickly take action so that pubs like The Saddle Inn in Fulford and The Punch Bowl can be protected from conversion to supermarket without a full planning application."

Councillors want the authority to follow in the footsteps of Wandsworth and Cambridge councils by introducing an Article 4 exemption.

As part of the motion they would also appeal for groups to be given information on how to register their local as a community asset to add another level of protection.

Liberal Democrat leader Keith Aspden said: "The Liberal Democrat Group fully support a city-wide Article 4 direction to give local pubs more protection.

"This would stop pubs across York being converted into shops without planning permission and without local residents having their say.

"Pubs such as The Saddle Inn in Fulford have a vital role to play in community life and this should be recognised. The council needs to make a stand before more good locals across the city are lost."

Cllr James Alexander, Labour leader of the authority, said his group would debate the motion before deciding whether to back it.

He added: "I'm sure the sentiment of the proposal is something Labour endorses. This is why in recent months to register pubs as community assets to give some protection. However, I personally remain to be convinced that an Article 4 would work.

"It would mean decisions on pub changes being made by the planning committee, but the committee can only follow planning law and not public opinion."

Conservative leader, Cllr Chris Steward, said: "Our reaction would depend on the precise wording of the motion, however, I acknowledge the vital role that local pubs play in the community and therefore think the idea of such an Article 4 direction would be good as it gives communities much more of a chance to save their local facilities.

"Clearly some pubs are not viable but if this was brought in hopefully many more can be saved or at the very least there will be fewer ‘done deals’ where the supermarkets use their vast power at the expense of residents."