CDZ extension debate
Dear Editor,In its comments onthe CDZ the St Helier Pub Group seems unable to accept that Merton, just like other councils, has absolutely no power to stop pubs closing, or to prevent their being converted into shops or eating establishments. Even on the one occasion when we refused a pub’s replacement by housing, on the grounds of loss of a community facility, the owners didn’t bother to appeal but turned it into a restaurant instead. The policy in our 2003 Unitary Development Plan designed to offer protection to pubs used for community purposes has been rendered worthless by later changes in national planning rules.Yours,Philip Jones (Councillor)Chair, Planning Applications Committee.
Philip Jones ● 4277d0 Comments