CAMRA has welcomed plans for a new Community Right to Buy scheme in Wales, describing the proposal as a potential “gamechanger” for communities trying to save their local pubs.
The announcement was made by First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth in the Senedd on 14 July, as part of the Welsh Government’s first phase of legislation.
Under the proposed scheme, eligible community groups will be able to nominate and register valuable community assets and will be given the right of first refusal if the owners decide to sell, helping to keep important local facilities in community hands.
A similar law has recently been introduced in England, allowing community groups first refusal on purchasing pubs that are registered as Assets of Community Value when they are put up for sale.
CAMRA said the new proposals could make a significant difference in Wales, where it says current pub protection laws are the weakest in the UK.
Chris Charters, Director of CAMRA Wales, said:
“Today’s announcement of a Community Right to Buy could be a gamechanger for people who want to save and take over the running of their local.
“Pubs are more than just businesses – they play a crucial role in building and maintaining cohesive communities. Where they are under threat of closure, conversion or demolition, it is right that people are given first refusal to buy it, so they have a fighting chance to save their local as a community-owned pub.
“At the moment this is really difficult for communities in Wales to save their pub and take it on as a community business because pub protection laws are the weakest anywhere in the UK.
“As well as a right to buy the pub as a community asset, CAMRA wants to see the Welsh Government offer funding for community groups to take over their local. Ministers should also change the law so planning permission is always required to convert a pub in Wales being converted into a restaurant, shop or takeaway, or demolished to make way for housing. This will help to stop greedy developers depriving a community of their pub against the wishes of local people.”
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