§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration is given by his Department to the location of large supermarkets in urban areas; what criteria are used in respect of car parking and the effects on other shopping areas; and if he will make a statement. [32357]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe Government's policy is to encourage supermarkets to locate in existing shopping centres in urban areas. Where this is not possible, an edge-of-centre site should be sought, within easy walking distance of the centre, to ensure it is accessible by a choice 219W of means of transport. Applications for out-of-centre supermarkets should be assessed in terms of their likely impact on existing centres, their accessibility by a choice of means of transport and their effect on overall car use. With regard to their impact on existing centres, they should be assessed in terms of its impact on trade, future investment in the centre and on the authority's strategy for the centre.
Car parking standards for large supermarkets vary from authority to authority and reflect the location of the store. In London, suburban out-of-centre stores tend on average to have one space per 10 sq m of gross floor space; inner suburban out-of-centre stores one space per 13 sq m, whereas town centre stores can mange comfortably with 1 per 20 to 25 sq m gross floor space. This reflects their respective reliance on the car for access. The Government are proposing a general review of car parking standards, including those for large food stores.