British Government Rejects Big Box Sprawl

In a move that could derail big box development projects throughout England, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has rejected a bid by the furniture chain Ikea to build a 300,000-square-foot store (seven times the size of a football field) outside the city of Stockport. In a letter explaining his decision, Deputy Prime Minister Prescott said the proposed store violated several provisions of both national and local planning policy. Major factors included the store's impact on the vitality and viability of Stockport's downtown and other nearby town centers, and the fact that it would foster increased automobile usage.