`Policy information sourced from Dacorum Core Strategy
CS16: Shops and Commerce
The main retail hierarchy of town centres and local centres (listed in Table 5) will be strengthened by encouraging appropriate new retail development and retaining sufficient existing shops in these centres.
New retail development will be assessed in terms of its location, scale and impact. It will be permitted if it accords with the retail hierarchy and conforms to the sequential approach. Most retail development will be directed to the town and local centres.
Opportunities will be given to provide capacity for the following amounts of floorspace if there is demand:
| Town Centre | Comparison | Convenience | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemel, Hempstead | 15,500 / 32,000 / 47,500 | 6,000 | 53,500 | 2009-2021 / 2022-2031 / Total |
| Berkhamsted | 6,000 | 1,000 | 7,000 | Total |
| Tring | 2,500 | 750 | 3,250 | Total |
New retail floorspace will only be permitted outside of defined centres if the proposal complies with the sequential approach and demonstrates a positive overall outcome in terms of the impact assessment.
Hemel Hempstead will be the main destination for comparison goods shopping, leisure, entertainment and civic and cultural activities. Other centres will provide core shopping facilities and services for their local communities.
Development proposals that promote a diverse evening economy in the town centres will be supported provided that their social and environmental impacts are controlled.
For more information please see the Core Strategy