Local communities are set to get a stronger say over what opens on their high streets under new plans announced by the Labour Government.
The measures are designed to give councils and residents greater powers to prevent the over-concentration of businesses such as betting shops, adult gaming centres and vape shops, while also tackling rogue premises linked to criminal activity.
One of the most significant proposed changes is the scrapping of the Gambling Act’s “aim to permit” rule.
At present, the rule limits the circumstances in which councils can refuse applications for new gambling premises. The Government intends to consult on removing it, giving councils greater ability to respond when residents are concerned about too many betting shops or adult gaming centres being concentrated in one area.
New planning rules are also proposed for vape shops and adult gaming centres, meaning they would require planning permission before opening. This would give councils and local communities an opportunity to consider whether a proposed business is appropriate for a particular location.
Councils would also have stronger powers to prevent vape shops opening close to schools and to tackle the clustering of similar businesses along the same high street.
The proposals form part of a wider package aimed at supporting town and city centres. Other measures include extending the maximum period for which police and councils can close premises suspected of being linked to organised crime from six months to 12 months, and providing councils with support to improve shopfronts, signage and the general appearance of high streets.
“Local people should have a genuine voice”
Jill de Sayrah, Chair of Worcester Labour Party, welcomed the announcement.
“Worcester has a wonderful city centre and we want it to remain a place where people want to shop, meet, work and spend their time.
“Local people understand their own communities, and they should have a genuine voice when decisions are being made about what opens on their high streets.
“These proposals are not about preventing legitimate businesses from trading. They are about giving councils the tools to achieve a better balance and to act when there are real concerns about the concentration of particular types of premises.
“Giving more power to local communities is a welcome step towards protecting and strengthening high streets such as ours here in Worcester.”
The Government says the changes are part of its wider plans to reverse the long-term decline of high streets, support local businesses and give communities greater control over the places in which they live.