Ikea rails at frustrating UK planning system

IKEA’s UK managing director Peter Hogsted talks to The Times about his frustrations at the intricacies of the British planning system. Hogsted says the planning system has played a major part in limiting the furniture store’s expansion here to four new outlets in six years. Hogsted says the group has set aside £1bn for expansion in the UK but Hogsted is having difficulty spending it. With regards to the system Hogsted says: “Our reality is totally opposed to what the government is trying to on town planning.” References: The Times 07/10/06 page 69