PLANNING LOBBY - THE HISTORY BEHIND OUR JOINT INITIATIVE

Through a full consultation process with the SPIN-f Membership and Accessible Retail a letter was presented to Jonathan Taylor at the ODPM within the Consultation Period.

To access this click on: Letter to ODPM.

We subsequently commissioned extensive research projects by Experian and MORI to support our arguments - just click here for a summary PPS6 Research Programme.

These projects were delivered to both Gordon Brown and John Prescott under cover of the following letters which summarise the whole position:

The letter to Gordon Brown
The letter to John Prescott's ODPM

Back in 2003 SPIN-f formed an association with AR to present a single voice form the industry on Mezzanine Development and the Draft Consultation Paper PPS6.

We were additionally joined by the British Property Federation and our original "Working Group" then comprised the following:

Background to our work on PPS6

Press Campaign

"New Government Town Centre Planning Policy could cost UK Millions"

We were joined by the British Property Federation to take the PPS6 fight to the Treasury and ODPM

Our research provides evidence that bulky goods retailing in out-of-centre locations saves UK consumers millions, earns them a better return in their pensions provision and is a key economic driver creating efficiency in the retail economy and making a significant contribution towards growth in GDP. The research, by Experian and MORI, also shows that growth in out-of-centre bulky goods retailing has helped maintain and improve town centre vitality not damage it. This calls into question the Government’s draft PPS6 document, that outlines its strategy for town centre planning policy.

To see the full Press Release click PRESS RELEASE

The mezzanine issue

The Government's consultation draft proposing planning restrictions on mezzanine floors applied to mezzanines greater than 200 sq m and the consultation period ran to the 26th May 2005.

For further infomation see the Press Release at NEW CONTROLS ON RETAIL FLOORSPACE WILL PROMOTE THRIVING TOWN CENTRES - HILL on the ODPM website.

Action

In full liaison with SPIN-f Members, your Planning Lobby Committe commissioned research and submitted our joint representations with AR

Click Joint Mezzanine Representations to view the letter to ODPM

PPS6 Published

Click PPS6 to view the Statement.

Click Planning for Town Centres: Guidance on Design and Implementation tools to view the document.

We believe our representations and research made a real diffrence and most importantly has established links with the ODPM and Treasury which will be a solid platform for further consultation when guidance drafts are discussed on the next stage of sequential testing.

Watch this space !!