§ Mrs. BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change the guidance to planning inspectors on granting permission to out-of-town or edge-of-town shopping centres. [3824]
§ Mr. RaynsfordGuidance is contained in PPG6: Town Centres and Retail Developments. It clarifies that the key tests that should be applied to assessing proposals for new retail development are the application of the sequential approach to site selection, the impact on the development plan strategy, the vitality and viability of existing centres, accessibility by a choice of means of transport particularly public transport, impact on overall travel and car use and other environmental impacts. We have no current plans to change it.