Turning pubs into homes or offices is now harder under Rayner's new rules

See more This is Money on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Updated: 06:40 EDT, 17 August 2026 Turning pubs into housing or offices is being made harder as part of changes to government planning rules in England spearheaded by housing secretary Angela Rayner. The updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) comes into force today and is expected to contain more protections for pubs at threat of closure for conversion to another use. Housing 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.It is understood councils will need to assess the impact on a community of a pub's change of use.Changing drinking habits, higher employer National Insurance contributions, higher wages, surging energy bills, and higher input costs have put huge pressure on pub margins and profits, prompting many to close. Tougher rules: Turning pubs into housing or offices is being made harder as part of changes to government planning rules in EnglandAndy Burnham has already announced a cut in business rates for the hospitality sector. According to the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), 794 pubs have closed this year, with 82 either being demolished or converted. The new rules, being published later today, will reportedly stop owners from deliberately killing off trade in order to justify a closure, protecting pubs which have been historically successful.A previous consultation on the plans only gave the protection to the last pub in the area.But industry groups said taxes and employment costs were the main reasons why pubs were closing. Camra has previously said that pubs were being 'lost forever to conversion or demolition as developers look to cash in on the desirable locations and unique architecture of pubs and social clubs'. Ash Corbett-Collins, Camra chairman, told This is Money: 'This is fantastic news for pubs and communities. 'Putting more power into local people’s hands to help them save successful and valued locals from greedy developers trying to cash in and turn otherwise viable pubs into other uses like houses, shops or takeaways is the right thing to do.'He added: 'We hope these increased protections will help save countless viable pubs and keep them at the heart of community life. 'The Government should continue its pro-pub agenda by announcing more support for drinkers, pubs and independent brewers in the Autumn Budget.'Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, told the BBC: 'The biggest issue facing hospitality businesses is costs like VAT and business rates pushing pubs out of business in the first place.' The NPPF update being published today will also include default approval for homes being built around railway stations in England in an attempt to increase housebuilding numbers.Housing secretary Angela Rayner said: 'By unlocking thousands of homes around well-connected transport hubs, we're helping people live closer to work, school and the services they rely on, while backing local businesses and driving growth in our communities.' Some pubs are already considered an important local amenity by council planners, so it is tricky to get permission to change the building's use. And some pubs also enjoy additional protections. If a pub has been registered as an asset of community value, community groups can be given the opportunity to bid for the property before a sale can proceed.Some pubs are also protected by local planning measures, which remove the automatic right to convert buildings into homes or other uses without full planning consent.According to the British Beer and Pub Association, approximately 15,000 pubs have closed in Britain since 2000. Best mortgage rates and how to find them Mortgage rates have shot up again due to inflation triggered by the conflict with Iran reversing hopes that the Bank of England would cut rates. 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