New government proposals that would mean vape shops need specific planning permission and that aim to improve shop fronts have been branded ‘vague’ and likely to get lost in red tape.
John Bland, chairman of the Spalding and District Civic Society has led a campaign to get rid of vinyl shopfronts in the town.
Last week the government announced its ‘Helping Hand for High Streets’ plan which it claims will ‘allow local people and councils to finally take back control of their shops’.
Alongside a proposal to tidy up shop fronts, it includes laws to ensure vape shops need planning permission, as would having 24-hour fruit and slot machines.
It’s also to ditch an ‘Aim to Permit’ rule which it says ‘ will give councils a stronger say over whether new betting shops and 24-hour slot machine shops open in their area’.
Mr Bland said of the proposals were ‘nothing new’ and were an amalgamation of previously announced policies.
“There seems to be no co-ordination with other powers that already exist,” he said. “It seems to be a piece-meal approach and all rather vague, and there is no clarity as to when these powers will be effective from.
“It just adds to the existing minefield of powers that local authorities already have but are not always using.
“The promise of more support to help shop fronts to be tidied up is welcome, but this is against the backdrop of the biggest shake-up in local government for 50 years.
“It has to be about more than just giving local authorities extra cash to distribute to business owners.
“They also need the resources to effectively deliver the funds with clear pointers being provided as to which partners local authorities should work with to ensure that the laudable aims become reality.
“Improving High Streets is about more than just preventing new vape shops and gambling outlets. It is about ensuring that the conditions are right to encourage and nurture the vibrant High Street that we all want.
“This needs a proper equal partnership in every community, between local authorities, the commercial sector, the voluntary sector and ordinary citizens.”
Mr Bland called on more clarity from the government.
“It needs a realistic long-term plan backed by political consensus. One that delivers the resources to build up skills, capacity and confidence in local communities to enable them to stand up for their local area., especially In the new era of super-sized councils and regional mayors which will be as remote as Westminster is for many.”
