Policy information sourced from the Bexley Unitary Development Plan - Written Statement

BTC1

The following principles will apply to any application for redevelopment abutting the pedestrianised area:

  1. Design and materials should be of a high standard, to reflect the status of the Strategic Centre. Massing, design, building lines and materials should be determined to contribute positively to the quality of public spaces created by the pedestrianisation scheme.
  2. To maintain the existing massing along Broadway, developments will need to be a minimum height of three storeys and a maximum of five.
  3. Shopping uses will be required at ground floor level within the core shopping frontage (Policy BTC2) with other appropriate uses at higher levels.
  4. Adequate rear servicing must be provided on properties within the area to be permanently pedestrianised.

BTC2

The core shopping frontage will be:

  • 45-131 (odd), 72-82 and 96-156 (even), Broadway;
  • 1-17 (consecutive), Market Place;
  • 1, Mayplace Road West;
  • 1, Townley Road; and
  • All properties in The Mall (Broadway Shopping Centre).

The non-core shopping frontage will be:

  • Ohm Bar, Albion Road;
  • Marriott Restaurant, Civic Offices, 41-45, 133-177, 177a, 179, 187-195, 213-237, 241-249, 255, 265-269 (odd), 2, 4, 4a, 6, 8, 20 28-70, 158-172 172a and b, 174-194, 198-206, 206a, 208a, 210, 210a, 212-228, 228a, 230-238, 238a, 240-244, 244a, 246, 248 (even) Broadway;
  • 1 Church Road;
  • 1, 3, 30 Erith Road;
  • Connexions, Highland Road;
  • 1 Lion Road; 2, Mayplace Road West;
  • Working Men’s Club, Royal Oak Road;
  • Central Library, toilets, Townley Road; and
  • 34, 40 Watling Street.

Within the core shopping frontage at ground floor level the Council will normally oppose uses other than:

  1. Class A1 shops;
  2. banks and building societies; and
  3. food and drink premises (Class A3), within the frontages of 1-17, Market Place and 96-156, Broadway only.

In determining applications in the defined core shopping frontage, Policy SHO4 will apply. Proposals for Class A3 use should, in addition, satisfy Policy SHO9.

BTC3

In determining planning applications in the defined non-core shopping frontages, the Council will resist changes of use of shops (Use Class A1) at ground floor level to other uses that would harm the character, viability and vitality of, the centre. In particular, proposals will be expected to satisfy all of the following criteria:

  1. the proposed use is a food and drink outlet (Class A3) or a professional or financial service to the public (Class A2) or a use that will complement and contribute to the diversity of the services provided in the centre;
  2. the proposed use will not create or add to a concentration of a particular type of non-retail use within an area of non-core frontage where the cumulative effects could undermine the retail function or cause parking and traffic problems, or other adverse effects on local residential amenity and the environment;
  3. a. the proposed use is not located next to three or more average units in non-retail use or with planning permission for a non-retail use; and b. the proposal itself together with any adjacent existing or permitted non-retail uses, should not create a continuous length of frontage in non-retail use exceeding three average widths;
  4. the proposed non-retail use would not increase the proportion of average units in non-retail use in the centre as a whole to more than 45% of all units;
  5. the proposed use would not have an adverse effect on the character and environment, or the amenity of occupiers in the vicinity and parking and traffic conditions; and
  6. the proposal includes a shop-style fascia, with an appropriate window display at ground floor level.

Proposals for food and drink outlets (Class A3) should, in addition, satisfy Policy SHO9. In applying criterion 2 above, account will be taken of the matters set out following Policy SHO5.

BTC4

Changes from financial and professional services uses to food and drink uses will be encouraged subject to criteria 2 and 4 specified in Policy BTC3 and subject to Policy SHO9.

BTC5

The use of upper floor accommodation within the town centre for small office accommodation and other appropriate town centre uses will normally be encouraged except where:

  1. the proposal would result in the loss of residential premises capable of providing satisfactory residential accommodation; or
  2. servicing and parking arrangements are inadequate; or
  3. there is conflict with Policies E1, E14, BTC6 or BTC12.

BTC6

The use of upper floor accommodation within the town centre for small office accommodation and other appropriate town centre uses will normally be encouraged except where:

  • the proposal would result in the loss of residential premises capable of providing satisfactory residential accommodation; or
  • servicing and parking arrangements are inadequate; or
  • there is conflict with Policies E1, E14, BTC6 or BTC12.

For more information please see the Bexley Unitary Development Plan