Proposed Sejm amendment could delay new supermarkets

By the end of this month, the Sejm may pass an amendment to the law on land use, which could inhibit the rapid development of super- and hypermarkets in Poland. According to the draft of the amendment, in order for a supermarket to be constructed, gminas would have to specifically designate a plot of land for such a purpose. At present supermarkets can be built on any land assigned to be used for commercial purposes. Wiktor Nieduszycki, deputy chairman of the Sejm Commission for Small and Mid-sized Companies, says the proposed solution would stop the chaotic growth of hypermarkets. The draft of the amendment also stipulates that before allowing construction of a hypermarket, the gmina council would have to prepare a study on the effects the investment would have on the labor market and local trade. The proposed amendment is compliant with European Union (EU) law, according to which a permit for investing activities must be issued once certain conditions are met. (Puls Biznesu, page 5) T.J.