Pubs' rights to avoid demolition 'extended to other cherished community buildings'

Pubs' rights to avoid demolition 'extended to other cherished community buildings' EXCLUSIVE: Hundreds of cherished buildings like youth centres or community halls will avoid being demolished under plans to give them the same exclusion rights as pubs Hundreds of cherished buildings like youth centres or community halls will avoid being demolished under plans to give them the same exclusion rights as pubs. Housing Secretary Steve Reed is considering changing the rights of valued community spaces to ensure they are exempt from demolition without consulting local people. Pubs are already excluded from Permitted Development Rights (PDR). It builds on efforts by the Government to strengthen community value schemes. Since being elected, Labour made into a law a new Community Right to Buy scheme, giving local people the first right of refusal when assets are put up for sale. The Government has also pledged £5.8billion through its Pride in Place programme to 284 communities across the country over the next decade. The latest announcement is part of a package of changes to PDRs, with a consultation on the amendments to be launched on Wednesday. The plans also include extending the right for temporary buildings on school land to be erected quickly to deal with the crumbling concrete crisis. A time-limited PDR is currently in place for schools affected by RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete), allowing temporary spaces to be put up without the need for a planning application. Ministers are consulting on extending this until October 2028. It is due to expire in October. It will mean schools affected by crumbling concrete will continue avoiding planning delays to carry out vital works. The Department for Education has set a 2029 target for every school and college in England to be RAAC-free, unless it is not fully or substantially rebuilt. Tens of thousands of children have been affected by the RAAC crisis, with more than 100 schools forced to delay opening for the start of the Autumn term in 2023. Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said: "These planning changes will cut unnecessary delays for schools affected by RAAC, helping vital works progress more quickly while minimising disruption for pupils and staff. "The condition of a school building sends a powerful message about how much we value children's education. We have a clear plan to remove RAAC from the education estate, and will not leave schools waiting.”