New Retail Quarter granted outline planning permission - Lib Dem reaction

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Aug 2006

The New Retail Quarter will be a major new development

Today the New Retail Quarter (NRQ) was given outline planning permission by the councils City Centre, South and East Planning Board. Sheffield's Liberal Democrats have made a statement on the issue.

Although planning permission was granted for the NRQ masterplan, there will need to be another final detailed planning application submitted and approved if work is to be given the final go-ahead.

Lib Dems have broadly welcomed the news although they believe that there are still a number of important unanswered questions. They have renewed their calls for a sustainability group to be setup in order to advise on sustainable design and the preservation of existing important buildings.

Councillor David Baker, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Economic Regeneration and Planning, said: -

"I am glad that the much needed new retail quarter is one step closer. However, its clear that there are still issues over sustainability and the preservation of important existing buildings which need to be addressed in the final detailed application. We believe the best way to deal with these issues is to setup an independent sustainability group.

"Such a group can look at these issues and can advise developers and provide guidance. It is essential that this flagship development not only provides a first class retail offer, but it also leads the way in terms of environmental sustainability and the preservation of much loved buildings"