Pub campaigners have reacted with fury and surprise after planning chiefs in Bristol admitted they ‘take the developer’s word for it’ when the owner of a pub says it should close down because it’s not economically viable.
Planning officers at City Hall told astonished councillors that they ‘take on trust’ the figures provided by development companies, pub chains and landlords, who want the council to give planning permission to close pubs and turn them into something else - usually housing developments.
The revelation only came about when councillors said the Campaign for Real Ale were challenging the figures on the latest pub closure application.
