Letter from Housing Minister, Robert Jenrick, confirms that he has little interest in preserving small High Street shops which are vital for the commercial viability of village and town centres.

Back in May, RA Chairman, Graham Cooke, wrote to our MP, Dominic Raab, asking for his support in protecting our local shops from the consequences of the Government's proposal to allow changes of use without local Council review.  Dominic Raab then wrote to the Housing Minister, and Robert Jenrick's reply is shown below.  Despite his claims to have included planning limitations which would protect small shops from unreviewed changes to residential use, these would in fact offer little impediment.  It is clear that Jenrick's priority is for more housing, even at the expense of the commercial heart of many villages and towns.

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