22 May 2007, 19:05 PM
  • ACS, the campaigning voice of over 33,000 local shops, has criticised the Government over its proposed weakening of the planning system to make it easier for large retail developments to be built outside town centres.

In its new Planning White Paper, the Government has set out plans to consult on the removal of the ‘need’ test for new out of centre retail development.

ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said, “The Government cannot on one hand profess its strong commitment to the town centre first policy and on the other remove the policy’s most important component, the ‘need’ test. We have been making this case consistently in the last few months and we will continue into the next stage of consultation.”

The removal of the ‘need’ test has been a key lobbying objective for certain major multiple retailers, who have argued for the loosening of restrictions so as to allow easier development for out-of-town supermarkets. ACS campaigns for maintaining a sustainable balance between large and small format retailing and has argued strongly for the retention and consistent use of existing national retail planning policy.

ACS, which has been campaigning for maintaining the ‘town centre first’ policy and arguing against plans for removing the need test, recently met with the secretary of state and officials. There has also been a concerted parliamentary campaign; the parliamentary motion opposing removing the need test has been signed by 84 MPs. The weakening of the power of local authorities also runs counter to the Sustainable Communities Bill, which is supported by 345 MPs.

Mr Lowman continues, “This Government has repeatedly stated its commitment to building communities and to sustainable development. These objectives cannot be met by allowing a significant increase in out-of-town retail development, which undermines retailers trading at the centre of communities.

“We are extremely sceptical that any replacement to the ‘need’ test can be effective. Where there is no ‘need’ test, for example in Scotland, there is evidence of an increase in out-of-town developments which harm the town centre.” He added, “Local authorities need support from Government. They are already out resourced and subject to significant pressure to allow unsustainable out-of-centre retail developments. This is not the time to undermine their ability to make an evidence- based assessment of the impact of a proposed retail development.”

Mr Lowman also set out the case for why the ‘need’ test is so important. “We believe that the ‘town centre first’ approach, which has been policy for over ten years, has promoted stability and investment in urban centres. When a supermarket is built in an out-of-town location it has sweeping repercussions for the balance of the local retail economy, not only in food but across many other retail sectors. 

“The ‘need’ test provides a consistent, robust and transparent mechanism for ensuring that the implications of development are fully assessed before development is allowed.  The ‘need’ test has established a clear framework for planning authorities to use to achieve this.”