December 14, 2011
Mary Portas’ much-publicised Review of Britain’s high streets has recently been published alongside new Government research.
Portas presents 28 recommendations in response to her findings that Britain’s high streets have reached crisis point and urgent action is required. If adopted into legislation or planning policy, a number of the recommendations could affect the development industry, such as a requirement to provide some affordable retail space in large schemes and relaxations on changes of use.
Portas’ vision for diverse high streets at the heart of communities supports localism and bespoke regeneration solutions with a strong social emphasis, but the recommendation for more central government intervention through ‘exceptional sign-off’ of out of town schemes by the Secretary of State is very much at odds with the localism agenda.
The Government’s response, expected Spring 2012, will be key in determining how many of the recommendations get taken further.
NLP Contact: Nick Baker 020 7837 4477 / nbaker@nlpplanning.com