To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail how she is implementing the recommendations included in the High Street Task Force’s Delivering a 21st Century High Street report that are relevant to her Department.

My Department’s regional planning policy contained in the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) requires a town centre first approach for the location of new retail development and other main town centre uses. Councils are required to take account of this in the preparation of their Local Development Plans.

I can advise that in October last year my Department responded to correspondence from the First Minister and deputy First Minister in relation to the proposed next steps on implementation of the report of the High Streets Task Force. A senior DfI official has been nominated to sit on any cross departmental group of the relevant departments, along with local councils to explore the opportunities for progressing the recommendations contained in the Task Force Report.