PRACTICE GUIDANCE
26. The July 2008 consultation on the proposed changes
to PPS6 noted the Government's commitment to publishing practice
guidance to support the implementation of the policy. Many of
the written responses to the consultation on the draft PPS6 expressed
the view that the effectiveness of the new impact assessment framework
would depend to a considerable degree on the content of that guidance.
A 'living draft' of the practice guidance was published for consultation
on behalf of CLG by consultants GVA Grimley at the same time as
the consultation document on the new PPS4.[21]
The consultation period ends on 28 July 2009.
27. The practice guidance sets out further detail
on assessing impact, stating that "The objective of an impact
assessment is to measure and where possible quantify the impacts
of proposals".[22]
In relation to assessing the impact of new proposals on planned/committed
development, the practice guidance states "many of the factors
relevant to need assessments [that is, the need assessments
which will still have to be undertaken for the authority's overall
development plan] will also have a bearing on the effects
of new proposals on committed/planned development".[23]
28. The practice guidance acknowledges that the assessment
of impact is inevitably subjective and will involve judgements,
and that it will therefore be for the decision-maker to determine
what constitutes an 'acceptable' or 'adverse' impact when making
a judgement based on an assessment of the positive and negative
effects relating to the impacts identified in national policy.
29. In assessing the impact on vitality and viability
of town centres, the practice guidance notes that it will be appropriate
to consider the implications of a proposal on retail diversity,
particularly the range, type and quality of goods. The guidance
states that this will be especially relevant in historic market
towns or centres which have developed a distinct and unique character.
In important historic centres, or centres which rely on a particular
diversity and special character, the practice guidance notes that
it may be appropriate to take a cautious approach to potential
adverse impacts.
30. The practice guidance states that any potential
employment benefits of new development should be balanced against
any possible reduction in employment opportunities in town centres,
so that any consequent loss of jobs in the town centre is considered,
as well as any additional jobs generated. In the case of proposals
on the edge of, or outside, the town centre, the benefits for
the economic and physical regeneration of the area will need to
be weighted against potential town centre impacts, including the
effect on turnover, vitality and viability and planned new investment
in nearby centres.
13 
