Eleanor Burnham Demands Stricter Planning Control on Supermarket Expansion (Eleanor Burnham )

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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Eleanor Burnham Demands Stricter Planning Control on Supermarket Expansion

January 9, 2007 10:20 AM

Eleanor Burnham AM is defending the future of local high street shops across North Wales, supporting calls from her party to revise current planning policy which many fear give supermarkets a stranglehold over Welsh communities.

Ms Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat for North Wales, said: "We have all felt the impact of big businesses in our local high-street. The unchecked expansion of supermarket domination threatens to strangle the life out of our towns, villages and cities.

"We want to promote and develop vibrant and thriving town centres across Wales by revising the planning policy on out-of-town centre supermarkets so that their retail impact on towns is fully considered and environmental assessments are undertaken as a matter of course.

"At the moment these assessments only take into account the impact on general food retailing. We will make sure that the impact of out-of town developments on all retailers in the area is considered, alongside the environmental impact of the proposed development such as their effects on congestion and pollution.

"Current planning policy has failed to keep-up to speed with the new breed of supermarkets that sell a lot more than just food and build mezzanine floors not included in the original proposals. The Welsh Liberal Democrats will give communities the power to protect their high-streets and restrict supermarkets where they want it.

"We must be careful not to say never to the big supermarkets. But planning permission for out-of-town developments must not be the death warrant for our local traders. The existing local provision of newsagents, pharmacies and clothes shops must be a bigger factor when approving new developments. We mustn't forget the environmental impact of travelling out of town to do your shopping.

"Big supermarkets should also give something back to our local communities. Where they do get planning permission they should be required to invest in local community projects and environmental schemes."

Notes/Nodiadau:

Welsh Liberal Democrats are picking a different reason to vote for them at the Welsh General Election five times a week from Jan 1. The reasons are drawn from their emerging program for government.

The trend in recent elections have been for the traditional parties to spin their messages as three this, and five that. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have a full programme for government comprising over 100 ideas to make a healthier, wealthier and wiser Wales.

Printed, Published and Promoted by Stephen Smith on behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, all at 102 Bute Street, Cardiff, CF10 5AD