27/03/12…Market towns champion welcomes amendments to new planning policy framwwork

THE initial response of AMT (Action for Market Towns) to the government’s new National Planning Policy Framework, published today, is generally a positive one.

The organisations basic responses are:
– Town Centre First policy strengthened, gives boost to small towns & high streets

– Transfer of planning powers to local communities ? but only if they?re proactive

– Mechanism for more affordable housing “too vague” but requirement to build on brownfield land first, good

– “sustainable development” definition tightened and now accords with Brundtland principles

ACTION for Market Towns has welcomed amendments made to the National Planning Policy Framework, which was published today, to strengthen policies relating to town centres. AMT?s Chief Executive, Chris Wade, also praised the Government for reflecting concerns about sustainable development in the final document ? but emphasised that communities must be proactive if they are to benefit from the planning powers the new Framework offers them.

Condensing over 1000 pages of planning guidance into just 59, the Framework replaces current planning laws and comes into effect today.

Chris Wade said: ?Planning is about much more than development control and we welcome the focus placed on involving communities in shaping where they live and work. AMT is delighted that the final NPPF has significantly strengthened the Town Centre First Policy and places them at the heart of vibrant and sustainable communities in line with our views and Mary Portas? recommendations. It addresses many of the concerns we expressed with the original draft.

?Town centres and high streets are facing significant challenges and a watered down planning system would only have made their problems worse. With a tighter definition of ?sustainable development? and explicit measures to protect the countryside, the new Framework is a significant improvement on the draft. We are also supportive of explicit measures for creating housing ? but this must include badly needed affordable housing ? and emphasise that communities will need to be highly proactive in order to gain from the much vaunted new powers the Framework is said to give to them.?

Yesterday Action for Market Towns released new figures showing that average footfalls have plummeted by between a quarter and a third in some towns across England and Wales (available here: LINK

Chris Wade added: “AMT would urge Government to consider how else they will be supporting town centre initiatives going forward and ensure that towns take into account the bigger picture when developing their plans. Restrengthening the role of town centres as social, community and retail hubs for towns requires intervention across Government departments.”