Government to relax planning rules for outdoor hospitality trading

The government is aiming to ease planning legislation so that more pubs, restaurants and cafes can serve customers outside. The Business and Planning Bill proposes changes that will allow food and beverage operators to use pavements, terraces and car parks as dining or drinking areas. This will include reducing the consultation period for applications for pavement licences to from 28 calendar days to five working days, granting consent after 10 working days if the council does not issue a decision. It also proposes a lower application fee for a pavement and street cafe licence of up to £100. Temporary changes to licensing laws will allow licensed premises to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. The government said it also aims to simplify and reduce the costs of the licensing process for outdoor seating and stalls. Under the proposals, outdoor markets, pop-up car-boot sales or summer fairs will not need a planning application. For 2020 only, the time limits in the existing right for the temporary use of land will be doubled from 14 days to 28 days for hosting a market or motorcar and motorcycle racing, and from 28 days to 56 days for any other purpose. Business secretary Alok Sharma said the new legislation will “enable businesses to make the most of the crucial summer months ahead”. “Our pubs, restaurants and cafes are the lifeblood of high streets and town centres across the country and we are doing all we can to ensure they can bounce back as quickly and safely as possible,” said Sharma. To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@egi.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @estatesgazette