AMT Public

What is PPS6 ? (2005 version currently in use)

Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres (PPS6) (2005) sets out the Government’s national policies and principles on planning in town centres.

The Government’s key objective for town centres is to promote their vitality and viability by focussing a range of new developments in such centres, and in this respect promotes the sequential approach, which must be applied in selecting sites for new retail, leisure and entertainment, commercial and cultural developments.

This means that the first preference is for town centre sites, followed by edge of centre sites that are well connected to the town centre and only then on out of centre sites in locations that are or will be well served by a choice of modes of transport. It states that local planning authorities should actively promote growth and manage town centres and also identify opportunities for developments in town centres.

It goes on to state that local planning authorities must follow the following process in selecting sites for development in town centres. They should:

1. Assess the need for the development (placing greater emphasis on quantitative rather than qualitative need);
2. Identify the appropriate scale of development;
3. Apply the sequential approach to site selection;
4. Assess the impact of the development on existing centres; and
5. Ensure that locations are accessible and well served by a choice of means of transport.

The statement also promotes high quality urban design in town centres, which helps to provide a sense of place and focus for the community, which is accessible and safe.

Key Words: Retail, Supermarkets, PPS6, Town Centres

Notes provided by Chris Windridge. February 2009. AMT Associate.

Discussion of CLG’s potential revisions to PPS6 policy. October 28th 2008 Roundtable

(Hosted by TCPA and attended by CLG to obtain feedback. One of 43 sessions with groups that had responded to CLG’s consultation)

Conclusion of meeting notes from the chair Gideon Amos of Town & Country Planning Association(TCPA). Attended by: CPRE, FoE, AMT, ACS (Association of Convenience Stores), BCSC (British Council of Shopping Centres), John Lewis Group, Tescopoly and CLG.

1. There are aspects of PPS6 that do not currently put enough compulsion on local authorities to safeguard high streets.
2. Need diversity of format as well as fascia and support for a complete retail mix.
3. Need to concentrate on how can the Town Centre First Policy and impact test be further strengthened
4. Work ahead by CLG will be to develop clear and transparent best practice guide and engage with and address the concerns of stakeholders.

AMT joined with others in supporting these.

Key Words: Retail, Supermarkets, PPS6, Town Centres

Notes provided by attendee Chris Windridge. February 2009. AMT Associate