Local Plans have followed suit, such as the recently adopted Wandsworth Local Plan 2023-2038, reflecting policies which encourage flexibility in design and optimisation through a suitable mix of uses.
The Not So Great British High Street – What can be done to enliven it?
26 Sep 23
With party conference season almost upon us, it will be interesting to see how the UK’s key political parties address the issue of the declining high street.
We all know that our town centres and high streets have suffered in recent years and policy and legislation has often prevented innovation in response to changing market forces.
A successful town centre and high street would see a thriving mix of a multitude of uses and activities. Changing uses throughout the day could facilitate a modern 24/7 lifestyle. Within this model residents or office workers could become customers and keep businesses, retailers, and communities alive.
Positive changes are starting to filter through from Government and Local Authorities including changes to permitted development rights, the new Class E Use allowing vacant retail units to be repurposed for other uses. Local Plans have followed suit, such as the recently adopted Wandsworth Local Plan 2023-2038, reflecting policies which encourage flexibility in design and optimisation through a suitable mix of uses. But why are our high streets still not up to scratch?
Labour have openly criticised the Conservatives approach to revitalising high streets, saying that changes to planning laws and not addressing business rates has made it tougher for Britain’s high streets and businesses. They have proposed their own 5 point plan earlier this year including tackling rising energy bills and giving Council’s new powers to bring back into use vacant shop units without owner consent follow 12 months of no occupancy.
Planning policy and permitted development rights are only two pieces of the puzzle when considering challenges town centres face and it does seem that more, and perhaps a more radical overhaul as proposed by Labour, needs to be undertaken to overcome barriers.
These barriers include tackling harmonising private and public interests through a collaborative partnership approach, targeted funding to areas of most socioeconomic need, addressing the concern to business profitability from business rates liability, support for small and medium scale businesses struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and improving equity of access to town centres through the provision of sustainable transport modes, to name a few.
Several of Labour’s proposals in their 5-point plan will require dipping further into the public purse to fund positive changes, which in the wake of a hefty bill following COVID-19 may make the taxpayer wince. Furthermore, property owners may feel punished for losing control over their own asset when a vacant unit is arguably not their fault. Iceni await with bated breath to hear what the grand solution is.
