The government has decided not to grant permitted development rights for the installation of shop security shutters because of fears it could make high streets look like they are ‘under siege’.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has decided not to grant permitted development rights for the installation of shop security shutters because of concern it could make high streets look like they are ‘under siege’.
In the wake of last year’s riots DCLG launched a consultation on relaxing the planning regime for shop owners who wanted to install protective shutters.
However, the near universal view of respondents was that such a move would be counter-productive or unnecessary.
A DCLG spokesman said: ‘The Government has taken the strongest possible action to prevent rioting again, and will continue to do so. Police and councils advised that relaxing these rules could have the opposite effect and increase crime and antisocial behavior by giving high streets the appearance of being under siege. Town centres should be attractive and family friendly places to visit and the current protections already available for shops offer more security and don’t require planning permission.’
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