John Prescott unveils PPS6

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has launched the revised Planning.

Policy Statement on Planning for Town Centres - PPS6.

Like its predecessor, PPS6 encourages retailers to develop in town and city centres, rather than build new stores in out-of-town locations.

Prescott said: 'The new PPS6 reaffirms our commitment to town centres and seeks to encourage the urban renaissance we are experiencing in many of our cities.'

He said PPS6 will require a more proactive role from regional and local authorities. They will have to work closely with the private sector to identify town centre and edge-of-centre sites for new retail, leisure and mixed-use developments.

Planning Minister Keith Hill said: 'Large town centres are already thriving - the challenge now is to ensure that smaller town centres also share in their success, while avoiding massive new superstores being built on greenfield sites out of town.'

The new PPS6 is out for public consultation until 15 March next year.