ACS

ACS has backed the findings of an influential Committee of MPs that raises concerns about changes to retail planning policy and identifies a threat to the future of the high street.

The Communities and Local Government Select Committee published the results of an Inquiry into ‘Need and Impact: Planning for Town Centres’ on Saturday 25th July. In it MPs declare themselves unconvinced of the justification for removing the ‘need’ test and that doing so could ‘put town centres at unnecessary risk.’

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “MPs are right to be ‘unconvinced’ by the case for the removal of the need test and we agree that it should be retained. A need test is a sensible way to robustly defend against out-of-town retail developments that are too big and to protect the vitality of large and small towns throughout the country.

The Committee also concluded that the ability of planners to put in place the ambitious new town centre first policy which relies heavily of detailed and costly plan-making at the local level (Planning Policy Statement 4) is significantly undermined if there is no additional skilled resource made available to local planning authorities

Mr Lowman continued: “In our evidence to this Inquiry we argued strongly that without increased resources for planners the new policy will be weaker in preventing developments that harm town centres than the policy it replaces.

“Planning authorities are often faced with a David and Goliath struggle to oppose harmful developments, the policy has to provide them with the means to say no to determined and well resourced developers when no is the right answer.“

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,500 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.

2. ACS Chief Executive James Lowman gave evidence to the Committee on 11th May 2009. ACS also submitted written evidence to the Inquiry.

3. The Communities and Local Government Committee will publish ‘Need and Impact: Planning for Town Centres’ on Saturday 25th July 2009 to view visit http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmcomloc.htm media enquiries contact pearcehm@parliament.uk

4. Government plans to remove the ‘need’ test are contained within the proposed policy reform contained in ‘Consultation Paper on a new Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Prosperous Economies’ Consultation details are available at http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/consultationeconomicpps  

5. The need test is an important planning rule that is applied to applications for new large retail developments that are not part of existing town centres or existing development plans. Under the need test the planning authority makes a judgement about whether there is sufficient spending capacity (or need) for a new out-of-centre retail development. Where there is not the application would fail the test and would in all but exceptional circumstances be refused.