The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has told ministers that new retail planning guidance threatens diverse, vibrant high streets and communities.

In its response to the government's consultation on the new planning policy, ACS has called for the need test to be retained and for stronger guidance to promote diversity to support planners dealing with powerful superstores and developers.

The ACS believes planners need better guidance on which developments are and are not consistent with a town centre first objective; skills, clarity of guidance and resources to be sustainable and should be given a clear definition of diversity and make explicit planners' obligations to promote this.

James Lowman, ACS chief executive, said: “A diverse retail offer underpins a successful community. The proposed planning reforms come at a time when high streets are under threat and therefore the stakes are high. Now is the time for decisive leadership from government.

“The existing town centre first planning policy had been a qualified success, breaking the growth of retail development out of town. Now in the downturn we are seeing that trend being reversed, and this guidance needs to be crystal clear in promoting diversity and town centres.”

The ACS has responded to the consultation by the department for communities and local government (CLG) on Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Prosperous Economies, which closed this week. The policy brings together all national planning policy related to economic development, the most important being Town Centre First policy.

Lowman said: “We oppose the complete removal of the ‘need test', and instead we recommend the inclusion of a reformed ‘need’ test within the new impact assessment framework.”

The CLG will be considering consultation responses and is expected to make a final decision on policy by the end of the year.

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