27th March 2008
MPs pledge to protect independent retailers
Out-of-town shopping centres will be barred from squeezing out small local shops, under new plans revealed today by the government.
In a Commons debate on saving the traditional high street, a change to current planning laws was presented to MPs by planning minister Iain Wright. Under the proposed new rules, developments would face an 'impact test' that would give local authorities the power to turn down a planning application if it was felt it would have a negative effect on a town centre.
Mr Wright told MPs: "Small, independent retailers remain at the very heart of our vision for town centres."
Labour MP for Battersea, Martin Linton, added: "Councils should be allowed to cite diversity as a reason for turning down a planning application otherwise they will remain completely powerless as much-loved high streets are turned into rows of wine bars or exclusive fashion boutiques."
Meanwhile, the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI's) latest retail survey reveals that high street sales have remained broadly flat year-on-year.
The Distributive Trades Survey for March 2008, published today, confirms retailers' expectations that the strong growth seen in 2007 is now over, explained CBI chief economic adviser Ian McCafferty.
"The picture now is of subdued activity as consumers tighten their belts amid the general cooling of activity we are seeing across the whole economy," he added.
In a Commons debate on saving the traditional high street, a change to current planning laws was presented to MPs by planning minister Iain Wright. Under the proposed new rules, developments would face an 'impact test' that would give local authorities the power to turn down a planning application if it was felt it would have a negative effect on a town centre.
Mr Wright told MPs: "Small, independent retailers remain at the very heart of our vision for town centres."
Labour MP for Battersea, Martin Linton, added: "Councils should be allowed to cite diversity as a reason for turning down a planning application otherwise they will remain completely powerless as much-loved high streets are turned into rows of wine bars or exclusive fashion boutiques."
Meanwhile, the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI's) latest retail survey reveals that high street sales have remained broadly flat year-on-year.
The Distributive Trades Survey for March 2008, published today, confirms retailers' expectations that the strong growth seen in 2007 is now over, explained CBI chief economic adviser Ian McCafferty.
"The picture now is of subdued activity as consumers tighten their belts amid the general cooling of activity we are seeing across the whole economy," he added.
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