Warning of threat to local high streets from Thame’s MP
THAME’S MP, John Howell, has criticised the Government?s proposed changes to planning rules, which he claims will reduce the powers of councils such as SODC, to control out-of-town retail development.
A new report from a cross-party House of Commons Committee has warned that the Government?s proposed changes to planning rules on retail development (the scrapping of the ?needs test?) will result in “many more out-of-town superstores” and lead to what it calls “unnecessary risks to town centres.”
This comes as a separate nationwide survey by the British Retail Consortium has found that 1 in 10 of all town centre shops is now vacant.
It is feared that the Government?s proposals to scrap the ?needs test? will end the requirement for developers to prove the ?need? for additional out-of-town development. The Government consultation exercise found that the changes would ?lead to more edge-of and out-of-centre development? and ?undermine regeneration schemes by allowing development outside town centres.”
John Howell said:
?I am not against out-of-town shopping centres in themselves; most of us use them at some time. But it is wrong that we are once again seeing another reduction in the powers of locally elected councillors to take decisions about planning in their area on proper evidence.
?In addition, this is a ridiculous time to put at risk the centres of our towns. Here in Henley (Ed. and Thame) we are seeing the town buck the trend of vacant shops. The scrapping of the ?needs test? sends all the wrong signals about promoting town centre regeneration.?
SODC?s Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Angie Paterson, said:
?We have set out a clear strategy for the district in our latest planning documents and there is no evidence to suggest that there is a need for any new out-of-town shopping schemes. Indeed our preferred approach is to promote our town centres. Anything which undermines this and takes control over planning away from local councils should be resisted.?
