The impact of regional shopping malls on existing town centres: a retrospective view

Published: October 2007
Source/Company: Colliers CRE

Abstract:
The “Planning White Paper – Planning for a Sustainable Future” indicates that the
Government intends to review the current approach in “Planning Policy Statement 6: Town Centres” of assessing the impact of retail proposals outside town centres. It is widely believed
that the present ‘need’ and ‘impact’ tests will be replaced by a new test. What is less clear, however, is whether the new approach will maintain the same level of protection for town centres; the balance could shift back towards the promotion of competition and consumer choice, and as a consequence loosen the present constraints on new out of centre retail
development.