Protecting town centres and local shops?
I've sat through countless planning meetings and watched councillors approve plans for supermarkets through gritted teeth.
The standard line is that we don't want to approve this but we have no choice.
And until now that really has been the case. Members of the public are often frustrated when they feel their concerns are not listened to, but the truth is planning committees do not have enough freedom. They are not really that free to make proper local decisions.
So yesterday's announcement by the Government that it intends to replace the "dysfunctional" 'needs test' with an 'impact test' is likely to be welcomed by everyone apart from supermarkets.
This is what the Government says: "A tougher 'impact test' is also being introduced, replacing the dysfunctional 'needs test', which will now give councils better controls over big developments that put small shops and town centres at risk.
"Using this test, development that could harm town centres will be assessed against key factors including climate change, impact on the high street, consumer choice, consumer spending and jobs."
Some will say this is too little too late and that too much damage has been done to traditional high streets. But the process of reform in Britain has never been a speedy process, and this is definitely a step in the right direction.
Dale Street Associates
David Bartlett
City editor of the Post and Echo covering politics, regeneration, and urban affairs.
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