Supermarkets and the planning system: big stores may have to sell off land banks

High street supporters have welcomed the Competition Commission's decision to drop controversial proposals to make it easier for supermarkets to build more edge of town and out of town stores. However, campaigners warn that proposals to introduce a competition test into the planning system will do nothing to promote real diversity in our towns and cities.

Friends of the Earth supermarket campaigner Sandra Bell, said: 'The Competition Commission's proposed remedies will help farmers provided that the ombudsman is given sufficient powers to deal with the supermarkets' bully behaviour.

'The competition test recommended by the Competition Commission will do nothing to help local shops or to promote real retail diversity. Unless it is combined with strengthened planning rules to restrict supermarket expansion it could simply mean that we get more big supermarkets being built next to each other.'

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