Temporary measures supporting the leisure and hospitality industry could be made permanent under new planning reforms, the Government has announced.

The provisions, known as permitted development rights (PDRs), make it easier for cafes, bars, and restaurants to host guests outside.

The measures were launched in response to the coronavirus pandemic to help keep customers and staff safe.

But a new consultation, launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government this month, seeks to enshrine these temporary provisions into law.

According to the document, the Government is “aiming to make a number of these [provisions] permanent” so that people can “continue to enjoy outdoor hospitality and local attractions, and businesses can innovate, as we build back better from the pandemic”.

These provisions include:

• Right for markets to be held by or on behalf of local councils: a temporary PDR which allowed markets to be held by, or on behalf of local councils for an unlimited number of days, including the provision of moveable structures related to this use.
• Right for moveable structures in the grounds of pubs, cafes, restaurants and historic visitor attractions: moveable structures such as marquees and additional seating were allowed for the first time in the grounds of listed buildings, helping businesses increase capacity.

Commenting on the reforms, Secretary of State for Housing Robert Jenrick said: “The simple reforms we made during the pandemic to help hospitality businesses, markets and historic visitor attractions make use of outdoor spaces more easily, made a massive impact. They helped thousands of businesses and attractions to prosper, made out town centres livelier and have been enjoyed by millions of us.

“As part of our vision to transform high streets into thriving places to work, visit and live, we intend to make as many of these measures permanent fixtures of British life as possible.”

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