Overview

This bill aims to restrict the number of high-cost credit shops in England by making them subject to planning permission. It creates a new planning use class specifically for these premises, allowing local authorities to control their density by assessing local demand and setting caps on the number permitted.

Description

The High Cost Credit Services (Retail Premises) Bill amends the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. This amendment introduces a new planning use class ("Class A4") specifically for retail premises providing high-cost credit services.

Under this new class, obtaining planning permission becomes mandatory for opening such businesses. Local planning authorities must consider the local demand for high-cost credit services when reviewing planning applications. Crucially, they must also implement a cap on the total number of these premises allowed in their area.

The bill defines "local planning authority" according to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The legislation applies only to England and comes into effect immediately upon passage.

Government Spending

The bill itself doesn't directly specify government spending. The main cost implication is the administrative burden on local planning authorities in processing applications and managing the new planning class. No figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Local Planning Authorities: Will be responsible for assessing applications, implementing caps, and managing the new planning use class; this will involve additional workload and administrative costs.
• High-cost credit lenders: Will face increased difficulty in opening new retail locations due to planning restrictions and potential rejection of applications.
• Consumers: May experience reduced access to high-cost credit services depending on the stringency of the caps imposed by local authorities.

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