Sir, It is of deep concern that June will pass without the promised publication of the National Planning Policy Framework. The stakes are high for this new national policy document, which will radically streamline all national planning policy and in particular 'the town centre-first' planning policy that protects and promotes our high streets.

At a time when we are seeing dramatic increases in development activity by a number of large retail companies more than 400 multiple stores will open their doors this year planning policy has a critical role to play in preventing developments in areas where they will cause significant economic harm to town centres. As long as there is no draft policy in place, there is a significant policy vacuum that is being exploited.

We are now in serious danger of parliament concluding its scrutiny of the Localism Bill, and allowing sweeping changes to the way the planning system works, without sight of how the policy will work in practice.

It is therefore welcome that certain peers are keen for parliament to take control and push for the critical retail planning principles to be enshrined in the Localism Bill itself. As the Lords come to debate the Localism Bill, they will have the opportunity to enshrine 'town centre first' and the promotion of 'retail diversity' into planning law.

To do so will close down the loopholes that are too often exploited by developers, forcing through developments that are too big and in the wrong location. If ministers are serious about the future of diverse retail provision as a central component of our communities, they will accept the amendments.

James Lowman CEO, Association of Convenience Stores