By Chris Edge, associate at HOW Planning
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The government’s latest attempt to encourage economic development, whilst sticking with the principle of ‘town centre first’, has culminated in the publication of Planning Policy Statement 4 (PPS4) in late 2009.
The question is: how does this guidance differ from PPS6 and how does it provide decision makers with the tools they need to better deal with proposals for economic development?
1) Talk to developers early
Firstly, PPS4 encourages local authorities to adopt a positive and constructive approach to applications for economic development.
The start of this process …

What it is: On 29 December 2009, the government published its revised Plannning Policy Statement 4 on town centre planning. PPS4 introduces new tests for planners and removes existing tests. Planning consultant Barton Willmore has published two briefings on the policy.
When it came out: 3 February 2010
Why it is important: Under PPS4, planners have much tougher criteria against which they must assess developments. Key policies include the use of a sequential test – where development in an area must be done in the sequence of which sites the councils want …

Independent retailers will benefit from the government’s new planning policy for town centre development, a planning consultant has reported.
Planning consultant DPP said the government’s Planning Policy Statement 4:  Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth would help smaller, independent retailers because large retailers would find it hard to push large schemes through the planning system.
The consultant added that PPS4 would not help economic growth in the UK. Mark Dodds, DPP partner said: “Larger and multiple retailers will, if anything, find it harder to push proposed developments past committed local councillors, particularly for …

What it is: CB Richard Ellis has released a briefing document on the impact of the new Planning Policy Statement 4 (PPS4) on town centre retail planning.
When it came out: 29 December 2009.
Why it is important: This briefing note explains some of the key changes in the new PPS4, the tests that councils will need to implement, and what this means for development.
To read the full briefing note click here: CB Richard Ellis PPS4 briefing December 2009

The government has today published new rules that give planners more power to protect their town centres from unwelcome development.
Today, housing and planning minister John Healey (pictured) revealed the new Planning Policy Statement 4 which revises the tests under which planners scrutinise proposed developments. The aim is to focus development work on town centres. These include a ’sequential’ test to make sure development happens in places where a council wants it, and an ‘impact test’ to look at the impact of a scheme on the surrounding area.
The ‘impact test’ replaces …

What it is: Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth has been launched by government department Communities and Local Government to change planning policies for town centres.
When it came out: 29 December 2009
Why it is important: This statement replaces the existing Planning Policy Statement 6 and introduces new tests that planners must take into account when considering planning applications in town centres.
To read the full statement click here: Planning Policy Statement 4 – 29 Dec 09