MPs back BCSC call to protect town centres
Published: 21 December, 2011
A House of Commons committee has backed BCSC’s calls for the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to protect town centres.
BCSC argued for a “clear and strong vision” for growth that recognises city and town centres as key to a prosperous economy and explicit backing for the Town Centres First policy.
The Communities and Local Government Committee report into the NPPF, which is published today, takes on board several of BCSC’s key recommendations to inspire the private sector to invest in town centre development.
Ministers on the committee note that several organisations expressed concern that the current draft NPPF weakens Town Centres First by “guiding local planning authorities to “prefer” rather than require” planning applications in town centre locations.
BCSC also expressed concern that key drivers of footfall to town centres such as offices and hotels were not included in the sequential assessment.
BCSC executive director Edward Cooke welcomed the committee report and said it was now up to the government to take on board its recommendations.
He said: “The government is right to reform the planning system, but without an strengthened town centre first policy the argument about development would simply shift from the planning committees to the courts. This would only further delay the town centre regeneration that will play a huge role in delivering an economic recovery.
"As well as retail development, the committee's recommendation to include offices in the sequential test is significant. Both uses are vital to increasing footfall in town centres, enabling them to become hubs for sustainable economic growth.
“We are pleased the CLG committee has listened to us and come up with some sensible conclusions which the government must take on board.”
