Pickles defends planning rules shake-up amid row

Mr Pickles said the new draft National Planning Policy Framework, which aims to simplify the planning system dramatically by slashing 1,000 pages of policy to just 52, will do away with national parking restrictions imposed by Whitehall in 2001.

The Government claims excessive charges and limiting parking spaces in town centres have created “ghost town” high streets, with shoppers flocking to out-of-town centres instead.

This latest announcement could provide a welcome boost to retailers – but many cash-strapped councils have already started increasing car parking charges to offset aggressive spending cuts.

Harrogate has announced that fees will rise by as much as 25 per cent for off-street parking from September 1 in the first rise in seven years, leading critics say the move to abolish Whitehall guidance could have the opposite effect with charges spiralling out of control.

Mr Pickles said: “Families and local firms face a parking nightmare under existing rules.

“Stressed-out drivers have to run the gauntlet of parking fines, soaring parking charges and a lack of parking spaces.

“These parking restrictions have hit small shops the hardest, creating ghost town high streets which can’t compete with out-of-town supermarkets. We want to see more parking spaces to help small shops prosper in local high streets and assist mums struggling with their family shop.

“We are standing up for local high streets.”

York Central Labour MP Hugh Bayley told the Yorkshire Post slashing central government restrictions could harm the region’s vital visitor economy.

“In York and many parts of Yorkshire, the visitor economy is a vital part of the local economy and high parking charges keeps shoppers and visitors away,” he said.

“If the government starts permitting councils to keep increasing charges then it could be very bad.”

The draft National Planning Policy Framework has proved controversial since it was recently published.

National Trust director general Fiona Reynolds last week warned of grave concerns over the proposals, saying they could lead to “damaging development” not seen since in Britain since the 1930s.

The Trust says the current town and country planning system had served the country well, enabling growth, while protecting open countryside and preventing sprawl.

However many business groups have welcomed the government’s proposals, saying they could help economic growth and job creation.