In a report that aims to influence a review of planning laws, the Social Market Foundation said the move could create at least 800,000 new homes. 

The SMF insisted that, amid the rapid rise in ecommerce, the decline of high streets across the UK would not be reversed by policies that attempt to “turn the clock back”. 

The move to digital shopping channels has accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic, while the increase in remote working has sparked further declines in town and city centres, even since lockdown measures have been eased.