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New rules 'threat to High Street' New rules 'threat to High Street'
(about 3 hours later)
Traditional high streets could be put at risk from out-of-town shopping areas unless proposed changes to planning rules are scrapped, MPs have said.Traditional high streets could be put at risk from out-of-town shopping areas unless proposed changes to planning rules are scrapped, MPs have said.
Ministers want to replace the "need test", which aims to prevent excessive retail park or supermarket development, with broader "impact assessments".Ministers want to replace the "need test", which aims to prevent excessive retail park or supermarket development, with broader "impact assessments".
However, the communities select committee wants it retained to prevent town centres being damaged.However, the communities select committee wants it retained to prevent town centres being damaged.
The Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed the MPs' report.The Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed the MPs' report.
The need test was created in response to complaints that smaller shops were being damaged by chains developing larger stores.The need test was created in response to complaints that smaller shops were being damaged by chains developing larger stores.
It forced planning committees to address whether the local community needed the proposed superstore.It forced planning committees to address whether the local community needed the proposed superstore.
'Undesirable effects''Undesirable effects'
However, a 2005 review of planning regulations found the test was having "undesirable effects", such as restricting competition and consumer choice.However, a 2005 review of planning regulations found the test was having "undesirable effects", such as restricting competition and consumer choice.
The government announced plans to scrap it two years later.The government announced plans to scrap it two years later.
In its report, the cross-party Commons committee said it was not convinced the test was having adverse effects.In its report, the cross-party Commons committee said it was not convinced the test was having adverse effects.
"On the contrary, we have heard from representatives of developers, of local planning groups, that it is serving a useful - some say essential - function," it said."On the contrary, we have heard from representatives of developers, of local planning groups, that it is serving a useful - some say essential - function," it said.
The MPs said the timing of the change could worsen its effects.The MPs said the timing of the change could worsen its effects.
"In the current economic climate, the removal of the need test would present unnecessary risks to town centres," it concluded."In the current economic climate, the removal of the need test would present unnecessary risks to town centres," it concluded.
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