| Abstract: | Summary This paper describes and evaluates the recent history of large grocery store development within the four counties of Industrial South Wales. After a discussion of major grocery companies’ programmes of store development, the timing and location of the 26 large stores opened in Industrial South Wales between 1972 and 1986 are described. The paper then analyses Structure Plan policies for large store development in the four counties, and compares the locational pattern of stores developed during the 1980s with that proposed in the Structure Plans themselves. Discrepancies between actual and proposed categories of store location are shown to reflect the more liberal planning policies of the Welsh Office, and of some District Councils. Finally, some conclusions are drawn relating to wider aspects of the planning control of retail development. |
