Amanda Taylor

News and views about Cambridge and Cambridgeshire politics, especially Queen Edith's Learn more

Cheers to the Council: have your say on defending pubs in Cambridge

by admin on 25 June, 2012

Queen Edith’s residents will remember the public concern two years ago, when Punch Taverns, the owners of the old Queen Edith wanted to knock the building down and replace it with housing. As councillors we supported the strong local opposition to getting rid of a pub, and we argued that the pub was an important community facility. See previous post.

Sadly, even though we were able to defeat the planning application in 2010, the Queen Edith closed because of other problems. Unless and until the Queen Edith’s re-opens, there is not a single pub in this ward. Pubs provide an important community hub, and the principle that pubs matter though, is still one I vigorously defend.

Too many pubs are closing in the city, and it’s important to give them some protection. Liberal Democrat-run Cambridge City Council is proposing a new planning rule to say pubs can only be turned over to housing or other uses if they are no longer needed as pubs. Anyone wishing to change the use would have to justify their proposals.

The Council is running a consultation until 27th July. To express your view on the new rule, please comment on the City Council’s website, or if you prefer to write a letter, drop it in at the Council’s Customer Service Centre, or send it via the Queen Edith’s Focus Team.

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