Conclusions and recommendations
1. The
Committee is grateful for the Ministers' willingness to discuss
aspects of draft Planning Policy Statement 6 at a stage when the
final document and accompanying guidance have yet to be completed.
(Paragraph 6)
2. The Committee
welcomes the Ministers' confirmation of the ODPM's commitment
to the 'town centres first' policy. This has further implications
for the detailed wording of policy on specific matters throughout
the Statement. We were reassured that Ministers would be examining
closely points such as: the application of the sequential test
to proposals to extend stores in out-of-town locations, particularly
where they are situated in out-of-town centres; the assessment
of quantitative need for additional retail development by reference
to specific classes of goods; the risk of abuse of any policy
aimed at accommodating large format stores on the edges of town
centres; and how the decline of some retail locations can be managed
without accelerating that decline. (Paragraph 7)
3. The Committee looks
forward to a final version of PPS6 with the necessary vision and
clarity to inspire local planning authorities proactively to achieve
improvement and renewal of our town centres. (Paragraph 8)
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