Knowledge Base Updated Apr 2013
The NRPF Knowledge Base has been updated, including details of all relevant material published during 2012. Our Planners' Bookshelf has also been updated to cover the latest 'must read' publications along with a summary of the key themes in recent retail planning literature.

CIL Consultation Apr 2013
A DCLG Consultation on further reforms to the Community Infrastructure Levy runs until 28th May 2013. Proposed amendments  include explicitly allowing different rates for different uses and scales of development e.g. small shops, retail warehouses and supermarkets where justified by local market and viablity evidence (para 22 and question 2) and also definition of abandonment (para 65 and question 15).

Tesco and the Space Race Apr 2013
In its recent full-year financial results announcement, Tesco has written down the value of more than 100 sites it no longer plans to develop, as part of its strategic shift away from building larger stores.

NPPF and the Impact Test Apr 2013
An appeal to build an out of centre superstore at Basingstoke has been dismissed. The Inspector acknowledged the NPPF’s presumption in favour of growth, local jobs, regeneration, ‘walk in’ accessibility, offsite improvements, etc but ultimately deemed these benefits to be demonstrably outweighed by significant adverse impact on a nearby District Centre. The Inspector recognised that new jobs would be created but would be offset to some extent by losses at other stores due to increased competition. Read the full decision letter.

More Change of Use Changes? Mar 2013
The Budget Statement (para 1.115) states that the government will consult on "allowing further flexibilities between use classes to support change of use from certain agricultural and retail uses to residential use to increase responsiveness within the planning system". See also article in Planning and DCLG statement.

NPPF One Year On Mar 2013
An NRPF event held in Manchester examined the impact of the first year of the National Planning Policy Framework regime on town centres and retail. Presentations are now available to view.

Retail Appeal Success Rate Unchanged Under NPPF Mar 2013
Research by Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners has found little change to the proportion of retail appeals allowed under the NPPF regime; likewise the speed of the process is unaltered. The sqeuential and impact tests remain key for non-town centre locations. 

Flexibility and the Sequential Approach Mar 2013
A recent High Court case, Zurich Assurance v North Lincolnshire Council, adopted (inter alia) the Supreme Court decision in a Scottish case (Tesco v Dundee City Council) on the application of the sequential approach and the limits to demonstrating flexibility. See especially paragraphs 61 & 62.

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