The limits of neighbourhood planning: "“It is not the role of the planning system to protect existing businesses from the impact of market forces"

Everyone likes to 'shop local': 
Futures Forum: Shop Indie this Christmas - support independent businesses in Sidmouth
Futures Forum: Transition towns and buying local

And everyone likes small businesses:
Futures Forum: "99% of East Devon's businesses are either micro or small enterprises" >>> Will the District Council be giving them 'discretionary relief' against business rate increases?
Futures Forum: Giving small businesses more opportunity >>> how local government can help

However, there are limitations as to how we can 'look after local':


YARCOMBE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN: INSPECTOR UNHAPPY ABOUT THROTTLING OF NEW BUSINESSES

4 JULY 2017

In this month’s Cabinet agenda papers (page 56) there is a report of changes that its Inspector wishes to see before EDDC accepts it.

This comment caught Owl’s eye:

“It is not the role of the planning system to protect existing businesses from the impact of market forces and competition from new entrepreneurs, which would run counter to national policy to support the sustainable growth and expansion of all types of business and enterprise in rural areas. 

For this reason, I am not satisfied that part ii) of policy CFS2, which requires new proposals not to have a negative impact on existing businesses, has appropriate regard to national policy. Nor would it contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. I therefore propose to modify policy CFS2 to delete ii) of CFS2, paragraph 6.9 and the last part of paragraph 6.8 after ‘our community’. For the reason explained in paragraph 4.9 above, I am modifying the policy to clarify in iii) that any ‘adverse impact’ should not be ‘significant’”

eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2140176/140617combined-cabinet-agendapublicversion.pdf

Yarcombe Neighbourhood Plan: Inspector unhappy about throttling of new businesses | East Devon Watch

With a few more details from Yarcombe:
Neighbourhood plans being produced in East Devon - Yarcombe - East Devon

Meanwhile, though, it might be possible to 'support your local business' by other means:
Futures Forum: Town Digital Hub
Futures Forum: Communities deciding to produce their own money

Although there are limits to what local government can do:
Futures Forum: Corporation tax, small towns and small businesses >>> giving SMEs the same 'level playing field' as multinationals
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