The Council will promote through its planning policies and proposals, the continued strengthening of the following Designated Centres in their varied roles and functions to positively contribute towards the viability, vitality, character and structure of these centres. New main Town Centre uses and development will be directed to the appropriate Designated Centres as set out below.

Chelmsford City Centre

Chelmsford and in particular the City Centre will be the main focus for shopping, major employment, civic and administrative functions, arts, culture and leisure and a centre of excellence for education and healthcare. Major new retail, office, leisure and cultural facilities will be directed to reinforce Chelmsford’s regional role as ‘Capital of Essex’. The City Centre is defined on the Policies Map.

Within the City Centre there is an area where retail development is concentrated. This Primary Shopping Area contains all the Primary Frontages and closely related Secondary Frontages. The Primary Shopping Area and frontages are defined on the Policies Map.

South Woodham Ferrers Town Centre

South Woodham Ferrers Town Centre will be a focus for shopping, business, education, and leisure. The Town Centre will continue to provide an important role for the residents of South Woodham Ferrers and the surrounding area.

Within the Town Centre there is an area where retail development is concentrated. This Primary Shopping Area contains all the Primary Frontages and closely related Secondary Frontages. The Primary Shopping Area and frontages are defined on the Policies Map.

Principal Neighbourhood Centres

The larger neighbourhood centres will be a focus of more localised retail, commercial and community facilities and services that reduce the need to travel and contribute towards more sustainable and neighbourhood-scale living. These larger neighbourhood centres and their frontages are defined on the Policies Map as Principal Neighbourhood Centres.

Local Neighbourhood Centres

Smaller Local Neighbourhood Centres play an important retail, business and community role, especially in areas more remote from the larger centres. The frontages within the Local Neighbourhood Centres are defined on the Policies Map.

Retail development outside Designated Centres

Retail proposals above 500sqm gross floorspace outside of Designated Centres will be required to undertake an impact assessment.

For more information, including links to the referenced Policies Map, please visit Chelmsford’s Local Plan here.