The Herald

The word on the high street is that it is too little, too late. Nevertheless, a rescue package of sorts was unveiled yesterday in an attempt to save Scotland's ailing town centres. The Scottish Executive has drawn up planning policies aimed at saving the country's high streets from the decline which has coincided with the growth of out-of-town malls. The main thrust of the document is that town centres should be the first choice for shopping and related developments. According to the new planning protocols, out-of-town sites should be considered by local planning authorities only as a last resort for retail developments.