Policy information sourced from Camden Local Plan

TC1 Quantity and Location of Retail Development

The Council will focus new shopping and related uses in Camden’s designated growth areas and existing centres, having regard to the level of capacity available in these locations.

Distribution of retail across Camden

The Council will promote the following distribution of retail and other town centre uses across the borough:

Growth Areas:

  • significant development in the King’s Cross / St Pancras Growth Area, with approximately 30,000 sqm net additional retail (A1 to A5 use classes) floorspace anticipated;
  • significant development in the Euston Growth Area, with approximately 16,450 sqm of net additional retail (A1 to A5 use classes) floorspace anticipated;
  • additional provision as part of redevelopment schemes in the growth areas of Tottenham Court Road, Holborn and West Hampstead Interchange; and
  • limited additional provision as part of redevelopment of the Kentish Town Growth Area.

Town Centres:

  • significant additional provision in the Camden Town Town Centre; and
  • additional provision in the other town centres.

Central London Frontages:

  • significant provision in the Tottenham Court Road Central London Frontage; and
  • additional provision in the other central London frontages.

Neighbourhood centres, specialist shopping areas, and small shops outside of centres:

  • appropriate provision in Neighbourhood Centres;
  • appropriate provision in Camden’s Specialist Shopping Areas; and
  • limited provision of small shops outside centres to meet local needs.

This retail floorspace is expected to be supported by a range of other town centre uses, including food, drink and entertainment uses.

Sequential Approach

The Council will apply a sequential approach to retail and other town centre uses outside of the areas listed above to support Camden’s network of centres. Retail and other town centre uses should be located in designated centres. Only if suitable sites cannot be found within designated centres will the Council consider edge of centre locations or if no edge of centre locations are available, out of centre locations.

The Council will require a retail impact assessment for large retail development proposals (of 2,500 sqm or more) that are not in accordance with the above approach and:

  • would be in an edge of centre or out of centre location; or
  • would be in an existing centre and have the potential to have a harmful impact on other centres.

For more information please see the Local Plan