ACS

The Association of Convenience stores has responded to the interim report of the Barker review of Land Use Planning. ACS expresses grave concern at the one sided arguments about the benefits of big development to the UK economy and warns against any argument that big is necessarily best for the UK economy.

ACS Government Relations Manager, Shane Brennan said: “The tone of this review concerns us very much; the Barker review must not become a one-sided manifesto for more and larger development.

“The current planning regime is complicated and difficult to understand, but in most areas this is not as significant a problem for large businesses as it is for the local residents and traders that have valid objections that are overridden.

“For example Barker criticises the amount of appeals that are lodged now compared to 5 years ago as an example of the inefficiency of the system, our view is that one of the main reasons there are more appeals is because large developers like supermarkets increasingly refuse to take no for an answer.

“Planning law should be about promoting more and better competition but are we really supposed to accept that this can be achieved by allowing the Big 4 retailers to build more out of town supermarkets.

“Planning Policy Statement 6 was recently reviewed by the Government it states quite rightly that it is planner’s duty to promote and maintain vibrant UK town centres; and in particular choice between large supermarkets and small stores. We will be making clear that it remains vital today and for the long term sustainability of the grocery sector."

Contact:

Shane Brennan Government Relations Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978

Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001


Notes to Editors:

1. The Barker review report is available here.