Policy information sourced from the Chelmsford Local Plan 2013-2036 PDF.

DM5: Primary and Secondary Frontages in Chelmsford City Centre & South Woodham Ferrers, Neighbourhood Centres and Upper Floors.

Primary Frontages in Chelmsford City Centre & South Woodham Ferrers Town Centre

A) The change of use of ground floor units to non-Class A1 uses of the Use Classes Order 1987 (as amended) will only be permitted if the balance of retail and non-retail uses does not harm the vitality and viability of the designated centre, and if all of the following criteria are met:

  • the proposed number and distribution of non-Class A1 uses do not create an over-concentration of uses detracting from the established retail character in the locality; and
  • the proposed use will provide a service directly compatible with the function of the Primary Shopping Area; and
  • the shopping frontage will retain sufficient daytime and evening pedestrian activity to avoid creating an area of inactivity; and
  • the proposal will retain or provide a shop front with an active display function and entrances which relate well to the design of the host building and to the streetscene; and
  • the sub-division of any unit would not create small token units.

Secondary Frontages in Chelmsford City Centre & South Woodham Ferrers Town Centre

B) Within Secondary Frontages in the Primary Shopping Area, the change of use of ground floor units will be permitted to Class A or D2 or ‘sui generis’ uses of a retail nature, subject to the following criteria:

  • the proposed number and distribution of non-Class A1 uses do not create an over-concentration of uses which are harmful to the function of the Secondary Frontage; and
  • the proposed use will provide a service directly compatible with the function of the Primary Shopping Area; and
  • the shopping frontage will retain sufficient daytime and evening pedestrian activity to avoid creating an area of inactivity; and
  • the proposal will retain or provide a shop front with an active display function and entrances which relate well to the design of the host building and to the streetscene; and
  • the sub-division of any unit would not create small token units.

C) Within Secondary Frontages outside of the Primary Shopping Area, the change of use of ground floor units will be permitted to Class A, B1(a) or D2 or ‘sui generis’ uses of a retail or leisure nature, where all of the following criteria are met:

  • the proposed use will provide a service complementary to the function of the Primary Shopping Area; and
  • the shopping frontage will retain sufficient daytime and evening pedestrian activity to avoid creating an area of inactivity; and
  • the proposal will retain or provide a shop front with a display function and entrances which relate well to the design of the host building and to the streetscene; and
  • the sub-division of any unit would not create small token units.

Neighbourhood Centres

D) Within the Principal and Local Neighbourhood Centres Frontages as defined on the Policies Map the change of use of existing ground floor units from Class A1 of the Use Classes Order 1987 (as amended) will only be permitted where the proposal would reinforce the function of the Neighbourhood Centre in serving the day-to-day needs of the locality.

Upper Floors within Primary and Secondary Frontages in City Centre & South Woodham Ferrers and Neighbourhood Centres

E) On upper floors, proposals for separate units of retail, office, tourism, leisure, cultural, community or residential accommodation will be supported provided that a separate access from the ground floor is maintained or created, a separate recycling and waste store is provided, and the use does not prejudice the retail function and viability of the ground floor.

For more information, please visit Chelmsford’s Local Plan here.