Planning shake-up hits superstores

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Communities Secretary Hazel Blears is to insist that action must be taken to stop the spread of bland "clone towns" as the credit crunch bites.

Under the reforms, councils will be able to block new developments on sites miles away from town centres if they risk bleeding existing shopping precincts dry.

Currently planners have only to decide whether there is enough demand to sustain a superstore - rather than the impact it will have on small businesses.

The changes will also require developers to give town centre sites preferential treatment, and safeguard the "unique character" of high streets.

The move comes a Competition Commission investigation revealed that supermarkets now hold monopolies in 200 parts of the country.

Launching the proposals in London, Ms Blears will say: "Town centres are the hearts of our communities. I want to see our town centres and independent shops busy and thriving and I'm absolutely committed to help defend their future.

"That is why we need to ensure that our policies maintain their effectiveness and responsiveness to future challenges.

"We need a policy which provides the right degree of protection for smaller retailers who are facing very challenging trading conditions and increased levels of competition."