In a report published today, the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee calls for a joined-up strategy to change the UK's unhealthy and environmentally damaging food system. The influential cross-party group of MPs asks Government to give national planning policy guidance for councils to ensure communities have access to healthy food. It also calls for policies to preserve small-scale food production practices and local food networks.

Welcoming these two measures, which were called for by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) in its evidence to the inquiry, Adam Royle, Senior Parliamentary Officer, said:

"It’s clear that, as a nation, we need to eat more healthily, but there is also a finite amount of good quality agricultural land, as well as water shortages and other environmental limits on food production. This report shows how we can encourage increased consumption of healthy food by helping people to grow, sell and buy more food locally, in a way that supports rural communities and sustains our beautiful countryside. "

Since 2007 CPRE has led a Big Lottery-funded national project, Mapping Local Food Webs[1], and published its Farming Vision in January.

Adam Royle continued; "We agree with the Committee that Government should do more to encourage communities to plan for local, sustainable food production. CPRE hopes that Ministers will adopt these recommendations, so that communities have the powers they need to sustain their local food webs, with all the freshness, quality and taste that these provide".

End

Notes to Editors

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) fights for a better future for the English countryside. We work locally and nationally to protect, shape and enhance a beautiful, thriving countryside for everyone to value and enjoy. Our members are united in their love for England’s landscapes and rural communities, and stand up for the countryside, so it can continue to sustain, enchant and inspire future generations. Founded in 1926, President: Bill Bryson, Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

[1] The project has supported over 250 volunteers in 19 towns and cities in each region of England researching their own local food web. CPRE will launch a report presenting the national findings of the project on 12 June.

Commenting on today's Queen's Speech, Adam Royle, Senior Parliamentary Officer at the Campaign to Protect Rural England said:

"We welcome the inclusion in today's legislative programme of the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill. Farmers and small producers across England's villages, market towns and countryside have been waiting for a long time for a body that will ensure they get a fair deal from supermarkets.

"CPRE's own research, through our Mapping Local Food Webs programme, shows that, across the country, networks of suppliers, producers and retailers are providing great local food and drink, contributing to the life and vitality of villages, towns and cities and helping to build a sense of local identity and distinctiveness. But many are also struggling against the overwhelming power of the big supermarket chains. Supermarkets are here to stay, but a strong Adjudicator will help to ensure that they operate fairly, giving vital local food networks a better chance to compete.

"We hope that the Government will now introduce its promised Bill to Parliament at the earliest opportunity, and ensure that it creates an Adjudicator with teeth."

End

Notes to Editors:

Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill

• The Bill would create a Groceries Code Adjudicator to uphold the Competition Commission’s existing Groceries Code and ensure suppliers are treated fairly and lawfully by large retailers (those with a groceries turnover in the UK of more than £1 billion). The aim is to boost investment and innovation in the supply chain to the benefit of consumers by stopping supermarkets passing on excessive risk and costs to suppliers. The Adjudicator would be given the power to arbitrate disputes between retailers and suppliers, investigating anonymous complaints and taking sanctions against retailers who break the rules. The government is proposing to give the adjudicator the power to ‘name and shame’ supermarkets that are found to have broken the code, but not the power to fine.

• The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) fights for a better future for the English countryside. We work locally and nationally to protect, shape and enhance a beautiful, thriving countryside for everyone to value and enjoy. Our members are united in their love for England’s landscapes and rural communities, and stand up for the countryside, so it can continue to sustain, enchant and inspire future generations. Founded in 1926, President: Bill Bryson, Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

• Mapping Local Food Webs is a national project led by CPRE, supported by Sustain, and funded from 2007 to 2012 by the Big Lottery through the Making Local Food Work programme. The project engages people in researching their own local food web in up to three towns and cities in each of the eight English regions. The project aims to increase the local community’s understanding of the size and importance of the local food web and its impact on local people’s lives, livelihoods, places and the countryside. It explores the relationships between what people buy and eat and the character of their town and the surrounding countryside. Finally, it aims to increase support for greater local food production and better supply in local outlets, and to strengthen and secure local food webs across the country.

For the first time the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, are bringing people across Norfolk together to talk about how to support their local food networks.

Food is essential for our existence and a strong local food network creates employment, fosters a sense of community and can help to keep our high streets and small businesses thriving, along with the environmental benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Feeding the Future conference will bring together  planners, countryside managers, parish and town councils, councillors and local food initiatives to see how we can create a strong local food economy.

Thea Platt, Local Food Campaigner for CPRE, says: “Local food is about much more then reducing food miles. It can be an important part of the local economy supporting 1,000s of local jobs in farming, food production and at food outlets. Local food businesses also add to community life, help local good causes and support diversity in farming and the local countryside.

“We know from our work mapping local food webs that the strength and value of these networks can depend greatly on the support they have from local councils, chambers of commerce, suppliers, outlets and of course, local people. We hope that by getting as many of these people together as possible we can develop a way to strengthen and improve the local food webs of Norfolk and Norwich.”

The event is being sponsored by the Big Lottery Fund as part of the Making Local Food Work programme and will be chaired by Kath Delmeny, Director of Policy at Sustain.

Other speakers will include: Tim O’Riordan, President of CPRE Norfolk; Clare Devereux, Food Matters; Mike Mack, Easton College; Paul Campbell, We Love Local Food; Chris Hull, Farmshare, Thea Platt and Karen Gardham CPRE.

Feeding the Future conference is being held in Dragon Hall, 115-123 Kind Street, Norwich NR1 1QE on Wednesday 9 May from 10.30 to 15.30.

Tickets and further information can be found by contacting Suzanne Natelson, 020 7837 1228, suzanne@sustainweb.org, www.localactiononfood.org.

National charity CPRE publishes a new report into the economic and social value of local food to Ledbury just days before a crunch council meeting to decide on a major out-of-town supermarket application.

In the latest of its ‘From field to fork’ reports [1], the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has today published a detailed report into the network of outlets and suppliers that make up Ledbury’s local food economy [2].

Aimed at discovering the social and economic contribution made by local food to Ledbury, the report concludes that local food supports over 680 jobs in and around the town, making a considerable contribution to the local economy and community. The report warns that allowing the construction of a large, out-of-town supermarket would threaten Ledbury’s established local food network.

Download: ‘From field to fork: Ledbury – mapping the local food web’

Thea Platt, Local Food Campaigner for CPRE, says: “It can be difficult to put a number on the value of local food to a community. Many of the businesses involved can be small and the relationships between them complex. With our ‘From field to fork’ reports we have attempted to quantify these networks and show how important they can be to a thriving community.

“As we study these networks we are often finding that, as a whole, they make a huge social, economic and environmental contribution to a town. They are also frequently at the heart of local initiatives and good causes, and bring distinctiveness to their local areas. 

“But we also know these networks are sensitive to disruption and need support to flourish. We have found stronger networks in places with fewer out-of-town retail outlets. These networks do best in places like Ledbury with thriving town centres and a good mix of retail outlets.

“I hope that our Ledbury report can be used by the local council, chamber of commerce and other community leaders to come together to see how they can best support Ledbury’s local food web.”

The report will prove timely for the members of Herefordshire Council’s planning committee who are meeting on Wednesday 22 February to discuss an application by Sainsbury’s to build a 30,000 sq ft retail store and petrol station on Leadon Way on the outskirts of the town.

Thea Platt commented: “Ledbury is one of 19 locations we have been studying as part of our Mapping Local Food Webs project across England. Although the timing of the report is unconnected to this local planning issue, I hope that it proves useful to the committee.”

Key findings from the report:

• Choice, availability and access to local food are good with 25 food outlets selling local food and for a majority of these outlets it represents a quarter or more of turnover;
• Local shops are servicing public demand for fresh, high quality food, supported by short supply chains;
• Local food supports, we estimate, 200 jobs at outlets and over 480 at local suppliers;
• Local food sales in Ledbury are an estimated £1.5 million to £2.7 million a year and help to support £29.5 million of turnover at supply chain businesses;
• A minimum of 95 local producers within 30 miles supply food directly to outlets we interviewed in Ledbury, reducing food miles and related pollution;
• Ledbury maintains its market town heritage and has a thriving high street with a good range of independent shops;
• Residents, visitors and tourists recognise the good availability of local food in the town;
• Local food supports diversity in farming, which shapes and maintains the character of the local countryside;
• Many shops and suppliers contribute to community life by donating to local good causes and offer a friendly, personal service.

End

Notes to Editors
[1] Mapping Local Food Webs is a national project led by CPRE, supported by Sustain, and funded from 2007 to 2012 by the Big Lottery through the Making Local Food Work programme. The project engages people in researching their own local food web in up to three towns and cities in each of the eight English regions. Aided by around 300 volunteers, CPRE has been working with local volunteers to map the food webs around 19 towns and cities across England.  Six pilot study reports were launched in April 2011. We will be reporting on a further 13 locations in several stages over 2012. Today marks the launch of the first of these. http://bit.ly/w4HKG9
[2] CPRE, From field to fork: Ledbury, 19 February 2012, http://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/farming-and-food/local-foods/item/download/1759

In a landmark review of Britain’s high streets and town centres, Mary Portas has questioned the impact of the Government’s controversial planning reforms on the long-term viability of town centres, saying: “I am worried that the guidance has been softened to the point where far too much out-of-town development may be possible.” [1]

Later in her report, Portas goes on to say: “If anything, the presumption in favour of ‘sustainable development’ may make edge-of-town and out-of-town developments more likely.”

Graeme Willis, Senior Rural Policy Campaigner at the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), says: “We welcome this report, which gives the Government a perfect opportunity to make improvements to its proposed changes to planning policy.

“Portas makes it clear that it is not good enough to take a ‘laissez-faire’ approach to planning if we want to achieve the right kind of economic growth. This approach will lead to more out of town mega stores and supermarkets that suck the life out of town centres.

“CPRE’s research, which maps local food networks, has shown these large out of town and edge of town superstores often disrupt and destroy local supply networks and economies, undermining the distinctiveness that has made many of our town centres so vibrant and diverse. [2]

“This report adds to the overwhelming case for a fundamental revision of the Government’s planning reforms. We urge Ministers to seize the opportunity it presents.”

End

Notes to Editors
[1] Mary Portas, ‘The Portas Review,’ 13 December 2011, page 31.
[2] CPRE, Mapping Local Food Webs: http://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-do/farming-and-food/local-foods

Rural champions the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) today [Monday] publish six location reports showing the scale and impact of local food webs [1] in towns and cities across England [2]. These reports are the first part of extensive research into how local food benefits local communities, economies and the countryside [3] – benefits that are threatened by continued supermarket expansion.

The research shows that local food webs can deliver a wide range of important social, economic and environmental benefits to people and places. The six reports from pilot locations published today are: Birstall, Hastings, Kenilworth, Knutsford, Sheffield and Totnes [4].

Graeme Willis, Senior Local Food Campaigner at CPRE, says: “The new Field to Fork reports are the first findings from research into food webs across England. Before now these intricate networks have been below the radar of most decision makers. As a result there has been very little policy locally or nationally that supports local food.

“The research shows that food webs can deliver a wide range of benefits for communities and their livelihoods, the places where they live and nearby countryside. These include better access to fresh food, supporting local businesses, and adding diversity and character to towns and rural areas. Local food webs play a valuable role by connecting people, through shops and markets, to their wider community and to the surrounding countryside.”

CPRE’s research, undertaken as part of Making Local Food Work, a nationwide programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund, suggests the continuing expansion of the main supermarkets could further undermine the viability of smaller local independent shops which provide vital markets for local producers and offer shoppers easy access to fresh local food. Many smaller retailers interviewed for this research stocked 50 per cent or more local produce whereas most supermarkets typically stock only one to two per cent local food. Without these smaller outlets many local producers would struggle to survive.

Graeme Willis concluded: “Local food webs rely on a diverse system of outlets, as well as public support. If these networks are allowed to break down, it could lead to a loss of jobs, loss of diversity in our high streets and loss of local distinctiveness. This pattern has sadly been all too familiar in recent years.

“In many areas we are already far down the road to a supermarket monoculture. This is not good for local food and it’s not good for consumer choice. By identifying local food webs and making them more visible to policy and decision makers, we hope they will be better protected, better supported and can thrive in the future.”

End

Further location information

Birstall: Although Birstall is itself a large village, the area around it included in the study is densely populated. This area has a relatively weak food web despite having many outlets. It is likely that the presence of a number of large out of town superstores has contributed to this. 27 retail and other food outlets sourced local food but on average only 20 per cent of sales were attributable to local food. Only a small number of outlets stocked high percentages of local produce: three quarters of the 40 or more local suppliers identified supplied products to just five smaller independent outlets. The food web accounted for approximately 140 jobs at local outlets, rising to 165 if a proportion of supermarket jobs are included. Local food sales in Birstall amount to between £3.9 and £4.7 million per annum, but sales at three supermarkets contribute more than 75% of the combined total despite only an average of 2% sales being attributable to local produce.

Hastings: In Hastings CPRE found that the local food web provides valuable local jobs in an area of above average unemployment. A high proportion of outlets checked sourced local food (38 of 47) and a majority stocked high percentages of local food. From 130 to 170 full-time and part-time jobs were provided by food outlets, with potentially up to 600 jobs at 60 producers supplying into the town. Local food sales in Hastings amount to between £1.7 and £3.4 million per annum and production of local food is associated with sustainable use of fisheries, and less intensive forms of agriculture.

Kenilworth: Kenilworth, a small, relatively prosperous market town, demonstrates a promising, yet not too extensive, food web. Recently, redevelopment of the town centre introduced the first Waitrose in Warwickshire alongside other national chain shops and food outlets. These co-exist with a variety of small, traditional outlets including a butcher, greengrocer, baker, delicatessen, farm shops and a weekly retail market, which offers some local food. Over 30 outlets are servicing public demand for locally sourced food coming from over 75 producers. Many of the independent outlets selling local food were found to help raise awareness among customers of where their food comes from and how it is produced. Food outlets provide valuable local jobs with, we estimate over 175 jobs at outlets in the study area and a further 580 at local suppliers supported by sales into the town. Local food sales in Kenilworth amount to an estimated £3.2 to £7.5 million annually.

Knutsford: In Knutsford, a small market town, CPRE found significant public demand for high quality local food. 29 outlets selling local food contribute to community life through supporting local good causes, home deliveries (which help the vulnerable) and offering a friendly, helpful shopping experience where customer service matters. Local food outlets offer an important number of local jobs - on average 14 full and part-time jobs for each outlet, with a total of over 400 jobs in local food outlets generally. More than 700 full and part time jobs at over 100 producers are supported by sales in Knutsford, as well as potentially many more seasonal and casual jobs. Local food sales in Knutsford amount to £1.6 to £4 million per annum, not including local food sales at supermarkets.

Sheffield: Sheffield was the largest population centre we looked at in our first six pilot reports, and we found a thriving local food web in place. For the section of the city we studied there were over 90 local shops and other food outlets selling locally sourced food and many outlets contribute to their community by offering extra support, particularly to the elderly and disabled customers, with nine in ten supporting local good causes. There is a strong presence of community enterprises supplying local food including community supported farms, city farms and community-oriented food markets. Local food outlets provide valuable local jobs with potentially more than 800 jobs at outlets and a further 1,400 at over 130 local suppliers in the study area. Local food sales in the area of Sheffield studied could be over £15.5 million per annum.

Totnes: Totnes, a small market town, was found to have a remarkably strong food web. Over 40 local food outlets provide, we estimate, over 300 jobs (equivalent to one in ten of Totnes residents in work), over £8 million in food sales and support £38 million supplier sales each year, with over 160 producers identified. Almost all (9 in 10) outlets surveyed were found to give cash and ‘in kind support’ to a wide array of local good causes. More than half of the local suppliers interviewed were found to be actively involved in maintaining the land for the benefit of local wildlife and ecosystems. Although Totnes was a shining example of a strong food web, CPRE still found areas where shoppers, sellers, producers and policymakers could do more to support local food.

Notes to Editors
[1] A local food web is the network of links between people who buy, sell, produce and supply food in an area. The people, businesses, towns, villages and countryside in the web depend on each other, and this interdependence benefits livelihoods, quality of life and the quality of places.
[2] Mapping Local Food Webs is a national project led by CPRE, supported by Sustain, and funded from 2007 to 2012 by the Big Lottery through the Making Local Food Work programme. The project engages people in researching their own local food web in up to three towns and cities in each of the eight English regions.
[3] Aided by around 300 volunteers, CPRE has been working with local volunteers to map the food webs around 19 towns and cities across England and will be reporting our results from each location in several stages over 2011. Today marks the launch of the first six of these reports.
[4] CPRE, From field to fork: Birstall, Hastings, Kenilworth, Knutsford, Sheffield, Totnes, 11 April 2011

CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 55,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

Making Local Food Work (www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk) is a five-year £10m programme funded through the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund and delivered by the Plunkett Foundation. It helps people to take ownership of their food and where it comes from by supporting a range of community food enterprises across England.  Community food enterprises are businesses run by communities for their benefit, which are involved in at least one part of growing, harvesting, processing, distributing, selling or serving local food. Examples include farmers’ markets, community-owned shops, community supported agriculture, country markets, food co-operatives and many others. Making Local Food Work pools the expertise of seven partner organisations, Co-operativesUK, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Country Markets Ltd, FARMA, the Plunkett Foundation, Soil Association, and Sustain, to help communities gain access to good, fresh, local produce, with clear origins.

The Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme was launched in November 2005 to help communities enjoy and improve their local environments. The programme is funding a range of activities from local food schemes and farmers’ markets, to education projects teaching people about the environment.

The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006. Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888 Out of hours: 07867 500 572 Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030 Textphone: 08456 021 659. Full details of the work of the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

The imminent announcement from the Competition Commission on the groceries market could spell disaster for the diversity of local shops and their communities, if initial reports are accurate.

This is the view of the Campaign to Protect Rural England [1] (CPRE) as it awaits the Competition Commission’s announcement later today (Friday).

‘A narrow obsession with competition between a few giant retailers who offer a very similar quality of product and service will do very little for everyone’s quality of life.[2] We do not live by discount alone: variety matters too. Local independent businesses could be crushed and the diversity leached from our farmed landscapes. A new assault on the individual character of town centres is quite possible’ [3] said Tom Oliver, Head of Rural Policy at CPRE.

In an effort to limit domination by a single supermarket chain, the Commission’s proposals may make it easier for the biggest retailers to compete with one another, while excluding other businesses from a share in the market.

What’s more, farmers and growers could be left with even fewer options when it comes to finding a market. This would be particularly perverse if the Competition Commission also proposes a new supermarket ombudsman [4] to monitor aggressive supermarket buying practices.

‘The proposed ombudsman would be far busier if the Commission’s pro-supermarket views are taken seriously by the Government. The big retailers will need to put a tighter squeeze on their suppliers in a yet more ruthless market. This would be a sticking plaster for a wound of the Commission’s own making,’ Tom Oliver continued.

‘The sound policies which are now in place, testing the need for supermarkets and strongly encouraging town centre location of more modest sized stores need to be retained.[5] The Competition Commission could be playing into the hands of big business and letting everyone else down in a spectacular way,’ Tom Oliver concluded.

– END –

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. http://cpre.org.uk

2. It has been reported that the Competition Commission may make recommendations that where a single supermarket is dominant in a local market, the planning regime may be altered to encourage the granting of permission to other large supermarket businesses.

3. A further expansion of large scale supermarket premises is likely to put pressure on the economic viability of smaller grocery businesses in the same towns. Towns derive much of their individual character from retail businesses which are not found across the whole country.

4. It has been reported that the Competition Commission may recommend the establishment of an ombudsman or adjudicator to monitor supermarket buying practices and relationships with suppliers.

5. At present, a ‘need’ test and a sequential test for the siting and scale of new retail development are key parts of Government town centre planning policy (PPS6).

The long awaited report concluding the Competition Commission inquiry into the groceries market could condemn local shops to oblivion if its earlier proposals are confirmed. [1]

This is the view of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) [2] as it awaits the Competition Commission’s announcement expected tomorrow (Wednesday).

‘The Commission has been narrowly focused on competition between the big retail giants.  It looks set to do nothing for the small shops and independents being squeezed out of the market by the big four,’ said Graeme Willis, local food campaigner at CPRE.
 
‘To prevent market domination the Commission is expected to propose a local competition test.  But this wouldn’t stem supermarket expansion and the further erosion of the character and vitality of our town centres.’

After 23 months of the groceries market inquiry the local competition test is expected to be the major planning remedy.  This would stop a retailer with 60% of existing retail space in a local area from opening more stores there. [3]  But this test could prevent a few large stores being opened by one giant retailer only for more to be opened by another.  And if the threshold is set so high, it is unlikely to stop so-called ‘Tesco towns’ from spreading, let alone reduce the pressure on smaller grocery businesses or halt the loss of local shops. 

‘The Commission has accepted that the concentration of the grocery trade in the hands of the few significantly harms shoppers. [4]  Yet it has offered little so far to stimulate real choice and variety in the high street.  The Commission has failed to put forward strong tests on diversity or on appropriate scale for new developments which could stimulate local markets with stores of all sizes, kinds and levels of service.’ 

Graeme Willis concluded: ‘In its efforts to limit domination by one supermarket chain, the Commission could be leaving the big chains to capture the market, leaving our towns and shoppers with less choice and just more of the same.’

– END –

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The Competition Commission published its Provisional decision on planning remedies for the groceries market in February 2008.

2. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

3. Competition Commission Groceries Market Investigation Provisional decision on planning remedies pp56-57: ‘If the grocery retailer proposed for the development has a share of net grocery sales floorspace (including the proposed development) of less than 60 per cent, the development would be considered acceptable under the competition assessment.’ February 2008.

4. Competition Commission Groceries Market Investigation Provisional decision on remedies: background and overall assessment p17: ‘Moreover, in our provisional findings we noted that reduction in the choice of fascias available to consumer is a significant element of the detriment to consumers that arises from high levels of concentration in local areas.’ February 2008.

The ability of communities to prevent damaging supermarket development will be tested in a key public inquiry which starts today (Tuesday 1 July) near the Norfolk town of Sheringham. The result could have implications for the future of supermarket development right across the country says the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). [1]

Tesco will be challenging a decision made in December 2007 by North Norfolk District Councillors, who unanimously rejected an application to redevelop a site on the edge of Sheringham town centre. [2] 

‘This is a crucial moment in the struggle by local people to decide for themselves what kind of place they will live in and how their town develops in the future,’ said Tom Oliver, Head of Rural Policy at CPRE.

‘This case is about having a real choice, and not allowing big business to dominate peoples’ way of life,’ Tom Oliver continued. [3]

The inquiry, which starts today and is expected to last three weeks, is the latest stage in a ten year planning battle, with Tesco’s application facing strong and sustained opposition from many of the town’s 7,000 residents. 

CPRE is supporting residents and local campaign groups in opposition to the development.  Ian Shepherd, Planning Policy Co-ordinator at CPRE Norfolk, will be giving evidence at the inquiry.

Ian Shepherd said:

‘This public inquiry could be critical, not just for the future of Sheringham, but as a case study for other inappropriate and unwelcome supermarket developments. [4] 

‘Residents and councillors of Sheringham have consistently expressed their opposition to Tesco’s proposal and with good cause.  A new supermarket could cause very serious damage to the vitality and viability of the town centre.  The small independent retailers, which give Sheringham so much of its appeal and character, could suffer, as well as the wider Norfolk economy, including local suppliers and tourism,’ Ian Shepherd concluded.

– END –

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

2.  North Norfolk District Council rejected a planning application by Tesco to build a 1,500 sqm store on the Cromer Road in Sheringham by 17 votes to nil on 22 November 2007.

3.  CPRE’s report The Real Choice, shows how damaging supermarkets can be to local economies and how market towns and their surrounding villages benefit from a wider range of smaller businesses and retail outlets.   http://www.cpre.org.uk/library/results/local-foods

4.  The Government’s Planning White Paper published in May 2007 stated within paragraph 7.50-7.56 that ‘the needs test has proved to be a blunt instrument…and can reduce consumer choice’.  There is a clear implication that the Government’s forthcoming revision of Planning Policy Statement 6 Planning for Town Centres could abolish or reduce the power of the needs test for new supermarket applications. CPRE and others are campaigning to ensure the retention of the needs test.

Countryside campaigners, CPRE [1], warmly welcomed the announcement that the Planning Inspector has dismissed Tesco’s planning appeal on its proposal to build a supermarket at Sheringham in Norfolk.

Graeme Willis, Rural Policy Campaigner, said: “This is a crucial decision which will encourage all those fighting for local democracy and the right to shape their town and how it develops.  It marks the winning of a hard fought battle by residents and councillors, with support from CPRE Norfolk, to prevent irrevocable damage to the character and vitality of Sheringham”

 “The decision will safeguard the distinctiveness of the town for residents and tourists alike, as well as the many rural businesses who depend on it,” Graeme Willis continued.

“This comes at a critical moment nationally too.  The Government is consulting now on plans to change planning policy for town centres [2]. CPRE is pressing for stronger measures to make it easier for the diversity of towns like Sheringham to be protected from out-of-scale retail.”

- END -

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

2. The Government consultation on changes to Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres closes on October 3rd 2008.