On 31 Oct 2026 new national regulations came into force in England governing how planning applications should be determined by most local authorities going forward.

There are a few exceptions, including applications determined by development corporations, national park authorities and the Homes & Communities Agency.

Our understanding of the new rules is outlined below.

It is now provided that the majority of decisions will be made directly by planning officers rather than planning committees - so the days of being able to get 8 or more objections to force an application to go to committee are now over.

From now on, referral to planning committee is only permitted when:

1. The Chief Planning Officer and the Chair of the Planning Committee both agree referral is appropriate, and either

2. The application raises an economic, social or environmental issue of significance to the local area, or

3. The application raises a significant planning matter having regard to the local development plan and any other material considerations.

The government's guidance note to local authorities states that what is considered 'significant' under point 2 above will vary from area to area, but could include:

• an application for outline planning permission for a large multi-phase residential development;
• an application for change of use of a community shop in a rural area;
• an application relating to a notable listed building in a town centre.

The guidance further states that applications are unlikely to warrant referral solely under point 3 above if they comply with development policies under local plans and national planning policy.

It would appear that few planning applications relating to pubs will be referred to committee in future, unless the pub is a significant listed building.

Whether this will be a good or bad thing remains to be seen ...

Belushi's, Greenwich

Pub closed in May 2026. Twin planning applications for conversion to cafe or convenience store were both refused in Apr 2026 but subsequently granted on appeal in early Oct 2026, with the planning inspector determining there was sufficient alternative pub/bar provision in that area. The planning inspector also determined that, as the bar had offered food over and above basic bar snacks, it fell within the planning use of 'drinking establishment with expanded food provision' rather than 'public house' and so pub protection policies in the London Plan and Greenwich Local Plan did not apply. Read more about this case and its concerning implications here.

China Hall, Rotherhithe

Unauthorised residential conversion of ground floor. A retrospective planning application for the conversion was refused in May 2023 and upheld by an appeal inspector in July 2024. Southwark council initiated enforcement action and in April 2026, with works to reinstate the pub space not having been carried out, the enforcement officer issued their final report recommending the owner be prosecuted. From postings by a local councillor, it appears a hearing took place at Croydon Magistrates Court on 7 Sep 2026 at which the defendant pleaded guilty - we are attempting to obtain more details. On 22 Oct 2026 a member of our committee passing by the pub observed that the illegal bedroom partitions had been removed and some initial works undertaken to return the ground floor to pub space;

Grove, East Dulwich

Pub closed following a fire in August 2012 but remained leased to Stonegate until Sept 2025. The freeholder, Dulwich Estate, applied in April 2026 to demolish the building and create a temporary community garden whilst future redevelopment plans are finalised. Our branch has submitted an objection;

Jam Circus, Deptford

Pub closed in Jan 2026 and has been used as a 2nd-hand store in the meantime. Planning application submitted in Aug 2026 seeking change of use to a discount retail store;

Kentish Drovers, Peckham

Pub is being marketed for sale by JD Wetherspoon and closed in early Sept 2026. Planning application was submitted in Aug 2026 seeking conversion to bingo hall. In Oct 2026 the change of use was refused with the planners citing insufficient evidence there was no demand for a pub on that site, and the pub had been marketed for less than the 2 years required under the Southwark Local Plan;

Montague Arms, Peckham

Pub has been closed since late 2019. Planning application submitted at the end of July 2026 seeking change of use to commercial, class E. Applicant states pub has been marketed since 2022 and only serious interest is from a fitness centre operator and a supermarket.

Pickwick, Charlton

Pub has been closed since 2017. Planning application was submitted in Feb 2026 seeking change of use to Class E commercial. The application was granted in late Oct 2026, with the planning officer accepting there was evidence the pub had been marketed for over two years without interest from a potential pub operator.

White Swan, Charlton

Has remained closed since 2020 with numerous change of use applications subsequently submitted and refused. In May 2026 a further application was submitted for conversion of the first floor into residential. Our branch has submitted an objection;

Who'd A Thought It, Plumstead

Planning application submitted in July 2026 seeking to convert the pub into residential. Our branch has submitted an objection;

Visitors to our Dulwich Beer & Cider Festival in May this year voted Mount St Bernard Tynt Meadow as Beer of the Festival.

Only a limited amount of the cask version is produced each year, mainly for supply to beer festivals within a c40 mile radius of the Leicestershire-based brewery.

It was therefore a rare sight for it to be available at our Dulwich festival and involved us collecting the cask from the brewery.

In August one of our branch committee members, Mike Allen, visited the brewery at the beautiful Mount St Bernard Abbey and presented them with a beer of the festival award.

The brewery were delighted to receive the certificate as it was the first such award they had ever received from a London festival.