Policy information sourced from the East Herts District Plan

RTC1 Retail Development

Within the town centre boundaries as defined on the Policies Map, main town centre uses as defined by the NPPF will be supported in principle, where they contribute to maintaining the role and function, viability and vitality of the market town.

Proposals will be assessed in line with the sequential approach.

Proposals for retail outside the Primary Shopping Area, and for leisure, office and other developments outside of town centres, which are not in accordance with policies of the District Plan, will be required to provide an impact assessment indicating the impact of the proposal on existing, committed and planned public and private investment in the town centre or in the catchment area of the proposal. The assessment should also consider the impact of the proposal on town centre vitality and viability, including local consumer choice and trade in the town centre and the wider area. The impact should be measured for up to five years from the time the application is made. For major schemes, the impact should be measured for up to ten years from the application. The following thresholds will be applied: