Archived press release

Town centres under threat from planning shake up

7 February 2007

A new survey of local authority planning officers, published today, raises fears that proposals to change the planning system may result in a new wave of out-of-town developments that damage town centres and increase car-use. Friends of the Earth will discuss the findings of its new survey at a meeting with MPs this lunchtime [1] (Wednesday).

Kate Barker's review of the planning system, commissioned by the Treasury, was published late last year. It made a number of controversial recommendations, which Friends of the Earth argued would put business interests ahead of those of local communities and their environment.

One such proposal is to scrap the `needs test', which requires developers of out-of-town stores to demonstrate that there is a `need' for the additional floor space proposed. The test is important because unless a need can be shown, the new development could draw trade away from existing high street shops. If the test is scrapped, big supermarkets will benefit as it will make it easier for them to build huge out-of-town stores. Asda-Walmart is known to be pushing for the needs test to be scrapped.

Friends of the Earth contacted local authority town planners to gauge their views on the removal of the `needs test [2]'. Of those that responded, the majority said it would make it harder to focus development in town centres, and that they anticipated that it would result in a significant increase in out-of-town stores. Some commented that the move would damage policies to promote sustainable development and reduce car-use. Of the 59 planning officers who have responded:

• 81% said that the absence of a `needs test' would make it more difficult to focus new development in town centres;

• 88% thought that the absence of a needs test would make it more difficult to assess the impact of a proposed edge of town or out of town supermarket development on a town centre;

• 95% said that the needs test is important.

Friends of the Earth's supermarkets campaigner Sandra Bell said:

"Planning officers around the country are worried that the proposals put forward by Kate Barker may damage local communities and the environment. If the Government goes ahead with this reform it could lead to a new wave of giant out-of-town supermarkets that kill off high street shops and result in more car-based shopping. The interests of massive retailers must not be put ahead of policies aimed at boosting our town centres."

The Barker Review is one of two recent reports presided over by the Chancellor which put forward a series of planning reform proposals. These include changes to the way major infrastructure projects such as motorways and power plants are decided, and a presumption in favour of development. The Government has already committed to a new White Paper on planning in spring this year that will take forward the Barker Review and Eddington Study recommendations.

Notes

[1] MPs have been invited to join representatives of the UK's leading environmental and social organisations, [the Civic Trust, CPRE, Friends of the Earth, The Ramblers, RSPB, Transport 2000, the Woodland Trust and the Wildlife Trusts] to discuss the threats to the planning system at an event hosted by Paul Truswell MP between 1pm and 3pm on Wednesday 7 February at the House of Commons.

[2] Full results of the survey including quotes from some of the planning officers are available from Friends of the Earth.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust