LIB DEM LEADERS PRESS MINISTERS FOR PLANNING REFORM

BRISTOL’S Lib Dem leaders are pressing ministers to change planning law to make it easier to block unpopular schemes for supermarkets.
Concerns have been raised with Barbara Janke, leader of Bristol City Council, and Bristol West MP Stephen Williams about plans for a Tesco store in Cheltenham Road, near Stokes Croft, and Sainsbury’s scheme for a store in nearby Gloucester Road, Bishopston.
Local campaigners say neither store is wanted by residents and it is important to protect the independence and choice represented in the area’s shopping parades.
The senior Liberal Democrats believe it should be made easier to refuse planning applications for shops that might not be in keeping with their neighbours or appropriate for a particular area.
“We are anxious to preserve the nature of these areas, both in terms of the shops people want and the general character of, say, Stokes Croft,” said Barbara Janke and Stephen Williams in a joint statement.
“It should be possible for a council’s development control committee to look at the likely impact of a multiple, such as a store chain, as opposed to that of an independent retailer.
“This would require planning reform and we are lobbying for this with our colleagues in the Coalition Government.”