ACS

ACS has told Ministers that new retail planning guidance threatens diverse, vibrant high streets and communities. In its response to the Government's consultation on the new planning policy, ACS has called for the need test to be retained and for stronger guidance to promote diversity to support planners dealing with powerful superstores and developers.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “A diverse retail offer underpins a successful community. The proposed planning reforms come at a time when high streets are under threat and therefore the stakes are high. Now is the time for decisive leadership from Government.

“The existing town centre first planning policy had been a qualified success, breaking the growth of retail development out-of-town. Now in the downturn we are seeing that trend being reversed, and this guidance needs to be crystal clear in promoting diversity and town centres.”

ACS has responded to the consultation by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) on Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Prosperous Economies, which closes today (28th July.) The policy brings together all national planning policy related to economic development, the most important being Town Centre First policy.

Mr Lowman continued: “We oppose the complete removal of the ‘need test', and instead we recommend the inclusion of a reformed ‘need’ test within the new impact assessment framework.”

In their response ACS outlined the three key actions, beyond the retention of a ‘need’ test, needed from Government to make policy reforms a success. Mr Lowman explained:

- “Planners need better guidance from Government on how to make decisions and on which developments are and are not consistent with a town centre first objective.

- “Planners need the skills, clarity of guidance and resources to put in place and work to sustainable local development plans that take into account current and future retail needs.

- “The guidance must include a clear definition of diversity and make explicit planners' obligations to promote this.”

CLG will be considering consultation responses and are expected to make a final decision on policy by the end of the year.

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 submission is available on request from helen.davies@acs.org.uk

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.