The chancellor has changed the rules governing out of town shopping centres be relaxed.

The move comes amid pressure from such companies as Tesco and Ikea, and will pit Gordon Brown against deputy prime minister John Prescott, who is against it.

The rules have been changed to say that local councils should "take into account any genuine difficulties in operating the applicant's business model" from sites close to town centres.

The change has already come under criticism both from the Conservatives and rural campaigners. 

"If the new policy were adopted in its current form, it could have a devastating effect on the ability of local planners to control retail development," said Neil Sinden of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

"The health and vitality of town centres should be the priority and considered above the interests of individual parts of the retail trade."