The government’s long awaited PPS4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth is unlikely to make a substantial contribution to economic growth, but is likely to help smaller, independent retailers, says independent planning consultancy DPP.

Mark Dodds, a partner and retail planning expert at DPP, said: “The publication of PPS4 is very welcome and there are some very sensible changes, such as the removal of the needs test.

“However it is our opinion that it will do little to achieve the government’s aims of stimulating sustainable economic development in any meaningful way.  Larger and multiple retailers will, if anything, find it harder to push proposed developments past committed local councillors, particularly for small format retailing in local centres or rural areas.”

DPP, who counts among its clients Tesco, also says PPS4 is riddled with errors that developers and local authorities will undoubtedly find confusing and frustrating.

Mark adds: “We have noticed a number of errors in the guidance accompanying PPS4, most notably an annex that states that PPS4 cancels provisions in PPS7, relating to major developments in areas of outstanding natural beauty (ANOBs).  The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has since confirms that this is not the case.”

PPS4 may be a consolidation of policy relating to economic development and town centres but it certainly doesn’t simplify the process of getting planning consent. 

“Developers will be well advised to make representations to the local development framework process as new limits and thresholds are set for retail development.  They may also wish to influence assessments of need and capacity that are now set only at strategic level.  Impact assessments will as a result become more complex,” concludes Mark.

## ends ##

About DPP
DPP is a top ten independent town planning consultancy providing strategic advice to the a range of clients. DPP's chartered planners, sustainability, heritage and design experts work with developers, landowners, business operators and public sector bodies, offering services relating to the development and use of land. The firm operates in all development sectors with a particular presence in residential, retail, regeneration, mixed uses, business and commercial.  DPP is committed to maintaining the qualities that separate us from our competitors, as well as continuing to enhance our established reputation for providing high quality, efficient and cost-effective services while helping clients reach their planning and development objectives.

Clients of DPP include Bellway Homes Ltd, Caffé Nero, Centros, Domino's Pizza, English Heritage, Invensys, Liberty Properties, Liverpool Land Development Company, Mercian Developments, The Ministry of Justice, Shell International, Taylor Wimpey, Tesco, Unilever Pension Fund Trustees, United Utilities, the Watkin Jones Group and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Contact
Ceri Edwards, Redwood Consulting
Tel: 020 7828 5553
Email: ceri@redwoodconsulting.co.uk