Wednesday 9 November 2011

All retail is equal but some is less equal that others...

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Planners, urged on by local councillors, are keen to control the use of retail premises. It clearly isn't sufficient for these people that they require shop premises to be used for retail purposes - now, it seems we're to make judgments about the specific retail uses. Moral judgements.

Burger bars in Birmingham...

According to the council, in larger shopping areas at least 55 per cent of buildings in the area would be required to retain a retail use, down to 50 per cent in smaller shopping areas, while no more than 10 per cent of units in any area should be takeaways.

The council said that the rules and limits would apply to all new planning applications in the 73 specified areas, but would not be retrospectively applied to existing businesses.

And betting shops...

Giving evidence to the culture, sport and media select committee’s review of the 2005 Gambling Act, the LGA warned that large numbers of bookmakers – as well as other prolific uses such as takeaway shops, strip clubs and late-night bars – are having a negative impact on high streets.

The LGA claimed that local authorities have raised concerns that betting shops in particular are increasing poverty in communities, citing the comparatively disadvantaged London Borough of Hackney, where there are eight betting shops on one street alone.

Doubtless the planners will be looking at pound shops, pawnbrokers, second-hand shops and other undesirable retail uses.

The result will be empty, boarded-up shops not the shiny shopping areas that these planners expect - the reason the betting shops and pizza parlours are springing up is because other retailers aren't remotely interested in these locations.

Perhaps Councils, planners and the LGA should consider why secondary retail locations have declined rather than seek to ban the only uses that can (just about) make a living from these locations.

I live in hope. But this is planning...

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