A CRACKDOWN on the numbers of takeaways has been announced by Birmingham City Council.
For the first time, the Shopping and Local Centres Supplementary Planning Document, SPD, will set maximum levels for non-retail units.
In Boldmere, dubbed Baltimere after an influx of takeaway applications, the SDP could prevent any more being approved as the area is already over the new ten per cent limit set for takeaways.
Councillor Dennis Birbeck (New Hall) welcomed the report and said: I think the guidance will go a long way to repairing the over-prevalence of non-retail uses in our centres. Its about getting the balance right.
The maximum limits for non-retail units would be set at 45 per cent in large shopping centres and 50 in smaller ones.
As well as reducing clusters of non-retail businesses creating dead frontage, the SDP is also aimed at keeping the identity of local centres, increasing independent retailers, and reducing vacant stores.
However, if a landlord has continuously marketed his shop for retail without success for 18 months, then the document does allow for exceptional circumstances although these are undefined.
Coun Malcolm Cornish (Vesey) called the SDP a real step forward but said the test would come when planning were faced with a long-vacant property.
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