Out-of-town retail stores are discouraged under a new draft planning policy launched by deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. Planning Policy Statement on Planning for Town Centres (PPS6), encourages retailers to promote regeneration by developing in town and city centres. "The new PPS6 reaffirms our commitment to town centres and seeks to encourage the urban renaissance we are experiencing in many of our cities,” said Prescott, speaking today at the Planning and Productivity conference. “Regional and local planning authorities will need to take a pro-active role – working closely with the private sector to identify town centre and edge of centre sites for new retail, leisure and mixed use developments." PPS6 on Retail, Leisure, Town Centre uses will replace PPG6. It is out for public consultation until 15 March 2004 and can be viewed at the www.odpm.gov.uk