Scrapping of Supermarket 'Needs Test' Will Damage Norfolk Businesses

3.21.23pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 17th May 2007

Norfolk councils' powers to object to supermarket planning applications look set to be weakened in a Government Planning White Paper, published later this week. Local Liberal Democrats warn that the review suggests a scrapping of the 'needs test', which allows local planning authorities to decide supermarket planning applications based on need.

"Scrapping the 'needs test' will make it much more difficult for councils to object to new supermarkets when there is no local economic case for having them," says Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South.

"My fear is that by weakening the planning rules on supermarkets, councils in Norfolk will be less able to stop the large chains driving local retailers, including post offices and newsagents, out of business. Councils have to retain their powers to say 'no' to supermarkets which cannot demonstrate a local need. We all want to see a sustainable and vibrant local economy"