THE Conservative Party has accused the Government of trying to destroy the commercial viability of town centres.
It says increases in the size of out-of-town centres, such as the MetroCentre, in Gateshead, will have a negative impact on high street stores.
Nigel Waterson, shadow minister for planning and local government, said: "Our local high streets will close down if Labour is allowed to go ahead with plans to hammer shoppers and workers.
"Labour want new taxes to park at work and will persecute shoppers by demanding higher car parking charges and fewer car parking spaces.
"In addition, John Prescott is giving the go-ahead to more out -of-town development. This flies in the face of the aims of planning guidance issued by the last Government to protect town centres.
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