PUBS listed as important by commun-ities will not be demolished or have their use changed with-out planning permission, according to Government proposals.

Communities Minister Kris Hopkins, also the Keighley MP, said the changes applying to England will be brought into law at the earliest opportunity.

Mr Hopkins said more than 600 pubs have been nominated as assets of community value (ACV) – the most listed type of asset under the scheme. If a building or land is listed as an ACV then it allows the community to put together a bid to buy it should it go on sale.