BCSC: Retail industry prepared for localism
Published: 21 September, 2011
Local authorities and developers should not fear localism, but honesty and trust are the key to success, according to industry experts speaking at the annual BCSC Conference & Exhibition n Manchester.
The localism agenda is already “ingrained” in the industry said Jones Lang LaSalle director Charles Miller, who chaired the seminar ‘The Localism Dilemma – What it means for future urban development.’
With the economy stagnant and banks unwilling to lend, virtually all development that is not under way is unlikely to be delivered for several years, with worrying consequences for a private-sector led recovery.
Developers must be prepared to approach local authorities with “honesty and open minds about sharing the benefits” if they want support for their projects according to Sean Harriss, chief executive of Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council.
He said: “You’ve got to be prepared to listen and adapt. Councils are not against growth, but they won’t allow growth at any price. We want quality schemes with good quality partners.”
The panel agreed that “strong leadership ” was needed to push developments forward and sell the long-term benefits of regeneration projects to local people.
Edward Cooke, executive director of BCSC said: “What is absolutely clear is that developers and local authorities need to be prepared to listen, to each other, to communities. But equally we need strong leadership that is prepared to sell a vision to residents who can often be sceptical about change.
“Honesty, transparency and trust, whether it is between developers, local authorities and residents, is going to be key to successful developments in future.”
