Ashfield councillors ask 'how many vape shops and barbers does one high street need?'

Coun Lee Waters (Ash Ind) who represents Hucknall Central, warns that national planning rules have left communities with too little say over the future of their high streets.

Now, he is proposing a Fair Rules and Better High Streets motion to be presented at Ashfield Council’s full council meeting on July 27.

The motion will be seconded by Coun David Shaw (Ash Ind), who represents Hucknall West.

The motion says a healthy town centre needs a varied mix of shops, services, food, leisure and community uses.

While barbers, vape shops and nail salons can create jobs and fill empty units, too many similar premises in one area can reduce choice, weaken local character and damage public confidence.

At the heart of the motion is the national Class E planning system.

It allows many commercial premises to switch between different uses without a fresh planning application, meaning councils can have little power to prevent saturation or shape the balance of their own town centres.

If approved, Ashfield’s leader and chief executive would be asked to press the Government for a review of Class E and stronger local powers.

Local MPs would also be asked to raise the issue with ministers.

The motion also calls for a cabinet report on high street business mix, compliance and enforcement across Ashfield, setting out practical action to support balanced town centres and deal firmly with rogue operators or unlawful activity.

Coun Waters said: “People are not imagining what is happening.

"They walk through their town centres and see another vape shop, another barber and another nail bar, while the overall choice becomes narrower.

“The question residents keep asking is simple: how many of the same type of business does one high street need?

“This is not about stopping people from setting up legitimate businesses. It is about common sense, fair competition and making sure the same rules apply to everyone.

“Good traders who operate lawfully, keep proper standards and contribute to the local economy should be supported.

"But where businesses break the law or ignore the rules, the response must be firm and visible.

“For too long, councils have been blamed for high street decline while Westminster has left them without the powers needed to manage it.

"Local people should not be told to put up with whatever appears next because national planning rules say there is nothing their council can do.

“We need to take back local control, protect variety and give residents a proper voice in what their town centres become.”

Coun Shaw added: “This is about restoring balance to our high streets.

"Residents want more choice, decent standards and town centres that they feel are worth visiting.

“Supporting honest businesses and taking firm action against rogue operators are two sides of the same coin.

"What is missing is the local power to get the balance right.”