The Hobbs Parker Blogs

Cornered shops by the Assembly’s Planning and Housing Committee examines the steady decline of local shops in London.  It concludes that changes to local, regional and national planning policies  could offer more protection. Also of equal interest are proposed amendments to the Use Classes Order.

The economic downturn and the move of supermarkets like ‘Tesco Metro’ into smaller units by knocking two into one for instance, has contributed to the loss of smaller shops.

The report asks the mayor to make changes to the London Plan to strengthen protection for local shops and give boroughs more power to resist or negotiate on planning applications from big retailers.  
This development is interesting in as much as not only could these changes affect London, but national changes to the Use Classes Order would impact on the remainder of the country and the way in which new shops or increases in shopping floor space are considered. 

For more information please contact Jonathan Lee

jonathan.lee@hobbsparker.co.uk or 01233 506201

Posted by David Jarman