Policy information sourced from the Basildon District Local Plan Saved Policies document.

BAS SH1: New Retail Development.

New retail development will be concentrated within the urban areas of Basildon, Billericay and Wickford, and within those areas in the town centres as defined on the Proposals Maps.

In assessing proposed retail developments, the Council will apply a sequential test:-

  • Firstly, consideration should be given to potential sites within the existing five town centres;
  • Secondly, if it is demonstrated that all potential town centre sites have been thoroughly assessed but do not prove suitable for that development, potential edge of town centre sites should be considered;
  • Only after it has been demonstrated that there are no suitable town centre and edge of town centre sites, out of town sites within the urban areas will be considered, subject to the following criteria:
    • That the cumulative effect of this and other recently completed or approved out of town retailing developments will not affect the vitality and viability of the existing town centres;
    • The location should be accessible by a choice of means of transport including public transport, cyclists and pedestrians, not just by car. Where appropriate the Council will seek from the developer improvements to public transport accessibility;
    • It should not give rise to problems of access, road safety and traffic congestion;
    • It should not harm the visual character of the area or cause unreasonable loss of amenity to adjoining land uses;
    • It should not materially prejudice the provision of other land uses, particularly the supply of land for industrial, housing and community uses, including open space;
    • Adequate controls should be installed to limit the emission of noise, pollutants, discharge and smells which could be associated with the proposed use; and
    • The criteria set out in Policy BAS SH10 and other policies applicable in this plan.

Large out of centre developments should preferably be combined with existing out of centre developments. Large retail developments should include recycling facilities.

Please visit Basildon’s District Local Plan Saved Policies document for further information.