PPS4 "Planning for Sustainable Economic Development"
Communities and Local Government published in late December 2009 the final version of PPS4 "Planning for Sustainable Economic Development."" We previously reported on the consultation draft of this PPS in our bulletin in the summer of 2009.
This finalised version of PPS4, (which now supersedes Planning Policy Statement 6 "Planning for Town Centres" of 2005 and Planning Policy Guidance Note 4 of 1992 "Industrial, commercial development and small firms" of 1992), provides guidance and policies in relation to all "economic development", which includes all Class B employment uses (such as industry and warehousing), and public and community uses and "main town centre" uses, which include retail development, leisure and entertainment facilities, offices and arts, culture and tourism development.
The new PPS gives guidance to Regional and Local Planning Authorities as to how to plan in their respective development plan documents for regional and local area "sustainable economic growth" and promotion of their town centres, including site selection and land assembly for main town centre uses. In formulating these polices, the Regional and Local Planning Authorities have to make an assessment of the overall need for land and floorspace for economic development, including main town centre uses, over the plan period. Advice is also given for planning in economic development in rural areas.
PPS also has "development management policies" in relation to determining applications for economic development and the impact assessments that need to be taken into account by the decision maker. The suite of policies also specify the circumstances when "sequential assessments" are to be undertaken for main town centre uses, including retail uses and how to undertake such assessments. Policy guidance is also given as to what impacts need to be assessed for main town centre uses when such developments are not in a centre, nor in accordance with an up to date development plan.
For additional information and a detailed assessment of the implications of the PPS for retail and commercial developers, investors and occupiers, please click here and see our PPS4 planning bulletin. In relation to how the PPS affects retail and leisure development please contact either Malcolm Honour or John Stockdale or Chris Hicks or Mike Straw in relation to the impact of the PPS for commercial development.
