The government is easing planning rules around pubs and restaurants so that they can operate as hot-food takeaway services during the coronavirus outbreak.
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed the government will set out measures so that pubs and restaurants can serve people having to stay at home.
Regulations will be relaxed to enable businesses to deliver this service without a planning application.
The measures will apply to hot food and drinks. Serving of alcoholic drinks will continue to be subject to existing licensing laws.
Permitted development rights allow movement between one use class and another without planning permission.
The government will introduce a time-limited permitted development right through secondary legislation to allow the temporary change of use for a period of up to 12 months.
Businesses will be required to tell the local planning authority when the new use begins and ends.
Jenrick said: “These changes will provide vital flexibility to pubs and restaurants and will ensure people are able to safely stay at home while still supporting some of the great local businesses across this country.
“The government has confirmed the relaxations to planning rules will be put in place as soon as possible to provide reassurance to businesses and enable them to start providing takeaways to people quickly.”
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