Option 3: Not to have a specific policy for this issue and rely upon national guidance and the Planning Strategy

Support

Representation ID: 3506

Received: 28/02/2012

It is recognised that some local shops and services provide a particular benefit to the local community by providing accessible facilities close to local centres of population as the Council states. However the proposed wording of the policy put forward as Option 1 is
drawn too widely such that it would cover a wide range of existing retail businesses which potentially do not fulfil this function but serve a wider catchment area. It such instances, it would not be appropriate for the Council to seek to control their retention.

By way of demonstration, it would be entirely nappropriate for the Council to seek to prevent the loss of my client's Garden Centre unless there was an 'alternative within walking distance' or to place the onus on my client to demonstrate the lack of viability of their own business.
Such a policy would unduly fetter long established and specialist retail businesses located outside the identified centres and would lead to the sterilisation of previously developed land which could be put to use meeting the Government's objectives for sustainable development and reducing the pressure to develop new greenfield sites.

Policy EC2 of PPS4 Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth requires Local Authorities to ensure that their development plans are flexible and would allow a quick response to changes in economic circumstances. The provision of an overly proscriptive policy relating
to existing retail businesses outside the defined shopping areas would be contrary to such Government advice.
Accordingly, the Council are strongly urged to adopt Option 3 on this matter and to rely on national guidance and the broader based policies of the Planning Strategy.