Press release
Portas right about damage of out-of-town shopping
13 December 2011
Commenting on TV retail expert Mary Portas' recommendations to Government on how to revitalise British high streets, expected today [Tuesday 13 December], Friends of the Earth's Supermarket Campaigner Helen Rimmer said:
"Mary Portas is right to highlight the disastrous impact out-of-town developments have had on our high streets - but the Government's planning reforms will further tip the balance in favour of big supermarkets at the expense of local economies.
"We need tough new planning rules to support small retailers and invigorate town centres to give people a genuine choice of where to shop."
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Mary Portas' proposals as reported in the Sunday Telegraph include:
- Axing regulations on night-time deliveries and noise that currently hit high street traders
- A stronger "town centre first" policy with possible new planning restrictions on retailers choosing out-of-town sites if town centre options are available
- A possible new tax on car parks currently provided free at out-of-town shopping centres in an attempt to encourage more customers back into town centre
- Plans for a National Market Day to promote street markets
2. Friends of the Earth is concerned that the planning system is driving forward unsustainable, poor quality growth at the expense of communities and the environment. The green campaigning charity recommends that the Government's draft National Planning Policy Framework is revised to set out a sustainable vision for England, to recognise environmental limits, remove the presumption in favour of development, promote sustainable economic activity and address inequality and community involvement. Find out more here.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Dec 2011
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