Policy information sourced from Camden Local Plan

TC4 Town Centre Uses

The Council will ensure that the development of shopping, services, food, drink, entertainment and other town centre uses does not cause harm to the character, function, vitality and viability of a centre, the local area or the amenity of neighbours.

We will consider:

  • the effect of development on shopping provision and the character of the centre in which it is located;
  • the cumulative impact of food, drink and entertainment uses, taking into account the number and distribution of existing uses and nonimplemented planning permissions and any record of harm caused by such uses;
  • the Council’s expectations for the mix and balance of uses within frontages for each centre are set out in Appendix 4;
  • the individual planning objectives for each centre, as set out in the supplementary planning document Camden Planning Guidance on town centres and retail;
  • impacts on small and independent shops and impacts on markets;
  • the health impacts of development;
  • the impact of the development on nearby residential uses and amenity and any prejudice to future residential development;
  • parking, stopping and servicing and the effect of the development on ease of movement on the footpath;
  • noise and vibration generated either inside or outside of the site;
  • fumes likely to be generated and the potential for effective and unobtrusive ventilation; and
  • the potential for crime and antisocial behaviour, including littering.

To manage potential harm to amenity or the local area, we will, in appropriate cases, use planning conditions and obligations to address the following issues:

  • hours of operation;
  • noise/vibration, fumes and the siting of plant and machinery;
  • the storage and disposal of refuse and customer litter;
  • tables and chairs outside of premises;
  • community safety;
  • the expansion of the customer area into ancillary areas such as basements;
  • the ability to change the use of premises from one food and drink use or one entertainment use to another (within Use Classes A3, A4, A5 and D2); and
  • the use of local management agreements to ensure that the vicinity of premises are managed responsibly to minimise impact on the surrounding area.

Contributions to schemes to manage the off-site effects of a development, including for town centre management, will be sought in appropriate cases.

For more information please see the Local Plan