Lobbying for planning changes

Campaign to protect local shops

From 2007 to 2009, we asked the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) to make changes to planning rules recommended by the Retail Commission. These changes aimed to help protect local shops and shopping areas.

In 2009, the government published draft planning guidance called PPS4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Development. It became clear that the proposed changes would not be included.

In June 2009, the Economic Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed that we should continue campaigning for these changes. We worked with other London boroughs that shared similar concerns about protecting local shopping areas.

Following discussions with the Greater London Authority (GLA), it was suggested that the changes could be introduced through a new London Local Authorities Act. In November 2009, we wrote to all London boroughs asking for support.

We received 13 responses:

• 10 boroughs supported the proposal
• 3 boroughs opposed it

In July 2010, London Councils decided not to support the proposal because London boroughs had different views on the issue.

In autumn 2009, we also gave written and spoken evidence to the Greater London Authority Planning and Housing Committee as part of its review into protecting local shops in London.

Related documents

• Written evidence to the GLA
• Cllr Sir Merrick Cockell’s letter to Eric Pickles [PDF]
• Portas Review
• The Council’s response [PDF]
• The Government’s formal response [PDF]

In March 2010, Cllr Tim Ahern submitted a petition to 10 Downing Street calling for planning changes to help councils protect small shops and antiques arcades. The petition received more than 500 signatures.

In September 2010, the government declined to make the requested changes.

In October 2010, Cllr Sir Merrick Cockell, Leader of the Council, wrote to Eric Pickles explaining that councils did not have enough powers to protect areas such as Portobello Road. He asked for the Retail Commission recommendations to be included in future planning laws.

In January 2011, the Executive Director of Planning and Borough Development met civil servants from CLG to discuss the proposals. Officials confirmed that ministers did not plan to change planning legislation in the way recommended by the Retail Commission.

In December 2011, the Portas Review was published. It included recommendations on the future of high streets and local shopping areas.