Punch Bowl: Article 4 Direction protection

Success on the Article 4 Direction campaigners had fought for, and I’d been hoping for even though I haven’t exactly campaigned. I did though send an email to Dafydd Williams, rather late on, and so did many people before me. He was ‘inundated’ with messages about the Punch Bowl, he said during the decision meeting held a few days ago. The meeting can be viewed below. The relevant bit is at 12 mins 41. Nick Love and Paul Crossman stating the case, and Cllrs Williams and Levene commenting. Only short, and worth a watch.

This isn’t just about the Punch Bowl. Or rather it is just about the Punch Bowl, at the moment, in that the Article 4 Direction is being applied only to this particular pub. Perhaps more in the future after further research.

Also on this (set up to start at the right place) link.

This doesn’t mean, of course, that the pub will never be replaced by a supermarket. What it does mean is summed up by Paul Crossman in this piece in The Press:

It means there will be a planning application and that’s all it means, but it gives the opportunity for consultation for the community and that’s what we want.

So, good news, and warmly welcomed.

The recent situation regarding the Corner House is mentioned in the recording above, and has also been covered in The Press: CAMRA hit out at brewery over supermarket deal.

More information

The decision notice from City of York Council (PDF) on the Article 4 Direction for the Punch Bowl.