BCSC 2012: The Portas Pilots may have raised the profile of the plight of the British high street but are unlikely to result in any real solutions, says the Local Government Association.
Executive director Michael Coughlin told delegates at the BCSC conference in Liverpool today that while councils were keen to be involved in the scheme, “the pilots may only tell us what’s wrong with the current system, rather than suggesting change”.
He said the LGA was keen for local councils to become visionaries and form strong, distinct plans for their town centres.
David Hill, chief executive of Guilford borough council, added his local authority had pressed on with large investment projects despite a difficult market, including spending £25m of its own money on the G Live entertainment venue.
“It was a vote of confidence in the town,” he said.
The council is also working on a £40m project with Solum to improve the town’s train station.
Alistair Parker, retail development partner at Cushman & Wakefield, told delegates that planning laws needed to be revisited.
He said most councils did not have “£5m to burn on a planning process”.
“The whole regeneration process is costly and time consuming,” said Parker.
simon.binns@estatesgazette.com
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