That is the view of
Mike Edwards, chair of Keep Llangollen Special (KLS).
He was reacting to a new report that says the Welsh planning system
should be focused on economic development and not climate change or affordable
housing.
The report, from newly launched think tank Gorwel, claims that discussions about planning have too often centred on issues that Wales cannot address on its own and much more should be done to drive the economy forward.
Evidence of the failure of the planning system to help local businesses can been seen, authors Steve Belzak and Russell Deacon claim, in the “increasing homogenisation of town centres” and the development of “out-of-town retail centres dominated by large, often multinational corporations”.
Mr Edwards said: “In
their panic to avoid a costly planning enquiry local planning authorities
ignore Planning Policy Wales and fall down in front of speculative property
developers and corporate supermarkets.
“Building out of town
increases traffic journeys and is not environmentally friendly. Wales needs to
give priority to town centres and independent Welsh businesses and support the
employment and income generation from shops and local suppliers.
“This keeps money
recirculating in local economies to the community's benefit, whereas supermarkets
export money out of local economies to corporate HQs mainly in the South of
England.
“Elected
representatives need to stand up for local businesses and the employment they
provide and not encourage corporate businesses and the low-paid part time work
they offer whilst exploiting local communities and suppliers.”