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3 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT
3.1 This section of the Statement sets out, and provides commentary on, those policies that are relevant to
the determination of the planning application. It principally deals with national planning policy contained
in PPS4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth and those policies that form part of the statutory
Development Plan.
a) National Planning Policy
3.2 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published in July 2011 – it establishes a very
clear presumption in favour of sustainable development, outlining that:-
“The Government is committed to ensuring that the planning system
does everything it can to support sustainable economic growth. A
positive planning system is essential because, without growth, a
sustainable future cannot be achieved. Planning must operate to
encourage growth and not act as an impediment. Therefore,
significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic
growth through the planning system.” (paragraph 13)
3.3 It further establishes (paragraph 19) that the default answer to development should be ‘yes’, except
where this would compromise the key sustainable development principles set out in the NPPF.
b) Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Sustainable Growth
3.4 In December 2009, the Government published Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Sustainable
Economic Growth (PPS4). Importantly, for the purposes of policies in PPS4, ‘economic development’ is
expressly defined (paragraph 4) as development within B use classes, public and community uses
including all forms of retail development (our emphasis).
3.5 The Government’s objectives in terms of achieving sustainable economic growth through planning are
set out in paragraph 10 of PPS4 and include, inter alia, to:
a) Deliver more sustainable patterns of development, reduce the need to travel, especially by car and
respond to climate change.
b) Promote the vitality and viability of town and other centres as important places for communities.
To do this, the Government wants:
i. New economic growth and development of main town centre uses to be focused in existing
centres, with the aim of offering a wide range of services to communities in an attractive and
safe environment and remedying deficiencies in provision in areas with poor access to
facilities.
ii. Competition between retailers and enhanced consumer choice through the provision of
innovative and efficient shopping, leisure, tourism and local services in town centres, which
allow genuine choice to meet the needs of the entire community (particularly socially
Former Tulip Factory Site, London Road/Caxton Way, Thetford Page 6
Retail & Planning Statement, February 2012