Portas' review of town centres

Mary Portas, the "Queen of shops" has completed a seven month independent review of Britain's high streets for the Government. The arrival of internet shopping and the change in retail has produced a phenomenal change in our high streets, meaning gone are the days of high streets containing little more than the butcher, baker and candlestick maker.

Since 2000, more than 25,000 shops have closed. Portas said, "The high streets have reached a crisis point. Unless urgent action is taken much of Britain will lose, irretrievably, something that is fundamental to our society."

Amongst her 28 recommendations to improve, protect and save our high streets, Portas has advised that the planning system is changed so that:

• the restrictive aspects of "Use Classes" are addressed in order to change the uses of properties on the high street;
• betting shops are placed into a class of their own;
• a "presumption in favour of town centre development" is made clear in the National Planning Policy Framework;
• local authorities should be more proactive in their use of compulsory purchase order powers to encourage redevelopment;
• developers should make a financial contribution to make sure the local community has a strong voice in the planning system;
• support is given to community use of empty premises through a Community Right to Buy.

"The problems facing our high streets are complicated and sometimes overwhelming but it's also not impossible - and I believe we can turn things around", said Portas.

For more information, see the:

• Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order SI 1987/764;
• Town and Country Planning Act 1990;
• Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.