The Retail Sector

Introduction

The Government has, over the past two years, revised the planning guidelines provided to local authorities relating to developments proposed for out-of-town centre locations. The two planning guidelines, PPG6 and PPG13, are clearly designed to limit development where this would detract from town-centre activity and/or significantly increase journeys by private transport. They are thus attempts to both protect town centres and the environment.

Out-of-Town Development

The 1993 Planning Guidance Note, PPG6, was primarily designed to protect town centres from the worst effects of the recent wave of out-of-town retail development. Following the House of Commons' Environment Committee Report on Shopping Centres and their Future, the Note was revised and has been the subject of a recently-ended public consultation period. It is likely that a final version will not be produced by the DOE for two or three months.