News that the Competition Commission does not appear to have appointed any experts to advise it on the planning implications of its investigation (The Grocer, 14 April, p6) should surprise and disappoint in equal measure those who are expecting a timely and rigorous outcome to the grocery inquiry.

When the inquiry team announced on 15 June 2006 that it was publishing its issues statement, setting out the areas on which it required evidence to conduct its investigations, hopes were high that a full assessment of all the relevant factors that prompted the OFT referral in the first place would follow.

Indeed, the inquiry chairman expressly said the issues statement was being released early in order that the participants could "get a clear idea of the issues we think need examining".

More important than this, however, was the acceptance by the inquiry team that the operation of the planning regime as it affects grocery retailing was one of the three issues of most relevance to its key terms of reference. To then fail to provide the back-up to advise it is nothing short of staggering.

As we know, 'planning' and 'competition' are words rarely used in the same sentence. The longstanding tenet of national planning guidance is that the planning system should operate in the public interest and should not be used to restrict competition.

Where these terms do co-exist more easily is in government guidance which, in PPS6 on planning and town centres, supports a competitive retail sector.

At the risk of stating the obvious, retailing is the most dynamic sector of the economy and the relationship between a fast-moving, customer and competition-focused sector and the often cumbersome and time-consuming planning system couldn't, at face value, be more tense. However, a deep understanding of the planning system is part of the inquiry.

I understand why many consultants feel unable to assist the inquiry; but can the location of an expert without a conflict of interest really be that difficult?

Both the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Town and Country Planning Association ought to be able to offer an objective view on the role the planning system plays in the matters of concern to the Commission.

Indeed, the TCPA published a document entitled Planning for Accessible and Sustainable Retail in 2005, the thinking behind which suggests it is well placed to offer the expert opinion the inquiry team needs. Failing that, the Commission could call upon the services of a notable planning academic, who would be unlikely to have any axe to grind, and such a role is not uncommon.

Whichever route is ultimately used it is absolutely vital that the inquiry team obtains the best possible objective advice on the planning system and how its operation impacts upon the matters they are considering.

The importance of the inquiry cannot be overstated; it has the potential to alter the shape of food retailing in a significant and long-lasting way.

It is not good enough to use the excuse that it cannot find expert advice on one of its key issues - planning - which, after all, could well be the practical mechanism by which the inquiry team's recommendations are carried through.



Steve Wilson is a director and head of the retail planning team at CgMs, an independent town planning, historic buildings and archaeological consultancy.