Sainsbury's chief executive Sir Peter Davis called for a more business-friendly planning system at the BCSC conference. He said planning restrictions were in danger of stifling the grocer's recovery plan, which depends partly on achieving economies of scale.
More than 25 per cent of Sainsbury's stores are now over 40,000 sq ft (3,715 sq m) in size, and Davis wants to drive this higher, either through new build or extensions. 'Scale is one of the key drivers of efficiency,' he said, but warned: 'A too-rigid application of PPG6 is in danger of stifling beneficial development.'
As an example of a successful Sainsbury's development that also benefited the local community, he pointed to the Castle Vale project in Birmingham, where a 50,000 sq ft (4,645 sq m) store was developed in partnership with a housing association and Birmingham City Council. 'It's hard to find such a proactive approach in many local authorities,' he complained.
Sir Peter said he expected the present round of planning reforms to reinforce the Government's commitment to sustainable development.
'We are concerned that planning guidance should recognise the role that retail has to play in regeneration,' he said.
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