Pictured above: Peter Taylor, DLA Piper

Peter Taylor, a partner and planning specialist at the Birmingham office of law firm DLA Piper, considers how our high streets might be helped.

As the effects of the recession continue to be felt, high street stores, which flourished during more prosperous times, have slowly started to fade away.

It is not uncommon to see closing down signs, empty shop units or huge sales promotions on the high street as retailers attempt to weather the storm.

Within the last few days, The Local Data Company has reported that almost 14 per cent of shops in Birmingham are standing empty. The figures are even worse for Wolverhampton (20.9 per cent), Sutton Coldfield (20.2 per cent) and Coventry (14.9 per cent).

The images of vacant premises and media reports about companies falling into administration can't help but have a negative impact on consumer confidence, which affects spending.

In addition to this, boarded up shops can become crime magnets, resulting in a surge of anti-social behaviour.

Fortunately, new legislation has been introduced this summer which will make it easier for local authorities to temporarily convert empty shops into places for social enterprises such as local art displays or learning centres.

This is a positive step towards preventing further decline in the hardest hit high streets and will reduce the negative impact empty shops have on the retail environment.

This will be achieved through special planning application waivers via Local Development Orders (LDOs).

Local authorities can use LDOs to change the permitted use of an empty unit without requiring planning permission, which will allow changes to be implemented with greater speed and flexibility.

Councils are encouraged to use licensing powers positively to permit things like farmers' markets that bring local produce to the high street, which will help to increase footfall - essential for town centre and business confidence.

The Government is also providing up to £3 million of support to help local communities find creative ways to counter the effect of vacant stores.

This could include introducing social clubs or community galleries, both of which will help install a greater sense of pride in the town centre.

Britain's town centres are at the crux of the local economy.

The move towards the new change of use waiver provides local authorities with the tools they need to reinvigorate unused space, which will be of lasting benefit for the community.