Planning policy and common sense don't go hand in hand.
The retail units next to the station in FH will probably never be taken as they are ont he wrong location, aren't fitted out which means it will cost a fortune for any small businesses and it's in the wrong location for brands unless you get a Tesco Metro going in there.
In Kirkdale they pulled down interesting buildings and replaced them with sub standard, ugly building that no-one likes or wants to rent (and they are badly made).
The retail units in Bell Green stand some chance, but they are away from the car park and while visible from the road, aren't really connected to the car park. The only businesses that will go in there would be 'shop windows' for passing cars, such as, well, car brands.
If only these developers worked with local civic groups, councils and traders to develop the sort of retail space that small businesses want to need, to encourage growth of high streets. The sort of retailers or small businesses that can grow the economy.
Sounds too much like common sense to me rather than a policy.