ACS

ACS, the voice of over 33,000 local shops, has submitted a strong defence of town centre first planning policy in response to plans by Government to reform the national guidance - Planning Policy Statement 6.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has set out her vision for vibrant high streets and a diverse retail offer. Our response welcomes this vision but questions whether the substance matches the rhetoric. Getting this policy right is vitally important to prevent a retail development free-for-all that would threaten high streets and harm diversity for consumers.”

The proposed reforms suggest a new approach to assessing planning applications for large format retail development. The proposal is to remove the ‘need’ test approach which requires applicants to prove that there is sufficient market capacity to accommodate their development, in favour of a more equivocal impact assessment framework.

Mr Lowman continued: “Existing town centre first planning policy is far from perfect and we welcome reform. However we believe those reforms should strengthen the policy and removing the need test makes the policy weaker. We are calling on the Government not to abandon the need assessment but instead build it into their revised framework.

“The policy still bends over backwards to accommodate retail developments that are neither located in town centres nor a part of the local development plan. This reform is an opportunity for Government to make clear that out-of-town retail development should be truly exceptional.

“Furthermore the reform of policy is only as strong as those that implement it on the ground. Government must ensure that Local Authorities have the resources and expertise to make impartial judgements. Unfortunately there are too many cases where inappropriate developments get approval because the local authority did not have the expertise, resources or information that was necessary to challenge the might of the developer.

ACS submitted its response to the Proposed Changes to Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres consultation on the 3rd October.

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Michael Saxton/ Grappa PR
Julie Kirby 020 7602 9222

Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.
2. The Consultation Proposed Changes to Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres closed on 3rd October 2008 click here for more information.