London Mayor Boris Johnson has come under fire from the retail property industry for his proposals to change regulations on new developments in the capital.

Johnson has outlined plans to force retail developers to include a proportion of smaller affordable shops in every new build in London.

BRC director-general Stephen Robertson has urged the Mayor to “think through all the implications of forcing any new obligation on developers” in a response to the proposals, which were published as part of the Planning for a Better London document last week.

Industry experts have criticised the lack of detail from City Hall, highlighting the complexities of introducing such sweeping reforms and the absence of measures laid out to implement them.

CB Richard Ellis head of retail planning Ian Anderson said: “There are some real difficulties here owing to definition. If it isn’t carefully set out and policed, the key people who are likely to benefit in the long term are the consultants and lawyers.” While the policy’s aims have been widely applauded, there are fears it could place extra financial burdens on developers, including a local development tax, that might badly affect independent retailers.

GL Hearn planning director Andrew Jackson said: “A majority of existing retailers are local independents and are not on subsidised rents. As a result, this scheme may eventually lead to a loss of existing local independents – exactly the opposite of what it is trying to achieve.”

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