The sums do not work

The UK property industry is uneasy about the government's U-turn on planning policy, since the new policy contains many basic inconsistencies. The government has now turned its back on developments such as greenfield shopping centres, which depend on car usage. Instead, the new policy advice is for development to be pushed back into towns where it should be linked to public transport. However, businesses are unwilling to choose a town centre location unless there is parking provision, especially given the lack of government commitment to public transport.