Changing pubs into homes to be made harder under new rules

Turning pubs into housing or offices will be made harder as part of changes to government planning rules in England.

The updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will come into force on Monday and is expected to contain more protections for pubs at threat of closure for conversion to another use.

A previous consultation on the plans only gave the protection to the last pub in the area.

However, pub and hospitality groups say taxes and employment costs are the big reasons why pubs are closing. Meanwhile, the Conservatives said the Labour government is "failing abysmally" to meet its housing targets.

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To go ahead with a change of use under the new rules, developers will need to provide evidence that there is no reasonable prospect of keeping a pub business running.

The evidence will need to include proof it was marketed for sale for at least 12 months.

A government spokesperson told the BBC councils would need to assess the impact on a community of a change of use.