On Friday, the Government published its response to the Portas Review.  The Government's response has embraced many of Mary Portas' recommendations.  Although not all of Portas' recommendations will be taken forward, the Government response (in conjunction with Government's commitment to a "Town Centres First" approach to planning in its newly published National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)) signals the Government's support for investment and regeneration of Britain's town centres.

The Government has committed to take forward the following ideas:

  • Creation of 24 "Portas Pilot" areas for deployment of "Town Teams" to pioneer creation of strategic management and promotion of town centres;
  • Retention of the presumption in favour of town centre development in the NPPF;
  • £1m funding towards development of Neighbourhood Plans for high streets using the provisions of the Localism Act;
  • £10m High Street Innovation fund to tackle vacant units, and creation of industry-led cross sector task force to look at bringing property back into use and attracting investment;
  • £0.5m investment in funding start-ups of new Business Improvement Districts;
  • Creation of a National Market and consultation on draft regulations to make it easier for street traders to set up and conduct businesses on the street;
  • Increased Small Business Rates Relief;
  • Relaxation of Use Classes Order to make it easier to change use of properties on the high street:  The Government Response suggests the use of Neighbourhood Development Orders (introduced by the Localism Act) to allow communities to ask local authorities to introduce proposals for wider permitted development rights for change of use in high street units;
  • Encouraging local authorities and key industry bodies to promote The Leasing Code and increasing use of structures other than upward only rent reviews; and
  • £306,000 of match funding for Enterprise Business Connectors scheme, designed to provide mentors/partnerships between small local businesses and larger local firms.

Key recommendations made by Mary Portas that have not been taken forward by Government included:

  • Requiring the Secretary of State's sign off to any new out-of-town developments;
  • Requirement for new retail developments to have an "affordable shops" quota;
  • A new "Community Right to Try";
  • Financial contributions from developers to ensure that local communities have a strong voice in the planning system;
  • Free controlled parking schemes and parking league tables (although data transparency by local authorities on parking costs will be encouraged); and
  • Creation of new "Super-BIDs" with additional powers, such as to CPO land.

The Government's response to the Portas Review can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/H2K4qe

This article was written for Law-Now, CMS Cameron McKenna's free online information service. To register for Law-Now, please go to www.law-now.com/law-now/mondaq

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The original publication date for this article was 02/04/2012.