Policy information sourced from the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2033

E2 Centre Hierarchy/Retail Policy

  • The following Town and District Centre hierarchy applies in the District:
    1. Town Centres:
      • Epping
      • Loughton High Road
      • District Centres:
      • Waltham Abbey
      • Loughton Broadway
      • Ongar
      • Buckhurst Hill
  • Proposals within defined Town and District Centres for retail, leisure, entertainment, offices, arts and culture, tourism and other main town centre uses, as defined by national planning policy, will be supported.
  • Within defined Primary Commercial, Business, and Service Frontages, ground floor units will be maintained in Use Class E uses in accordance with Policies P1 to P5. Proposals that will not result in a reduction in the specified percentage of Use Class E uses will be permitted for other main town centre uses where this will support the function, vitality or viability of the Town or District Centre and maintain an active daytime frontage.
  • Within defined Secondary Commercial, Business, and Service Frontages, ground floor units will be maintained in Use Class E uses in accordance with Policies P1 to P5. A wider range of main town centre uses may be acceptable where it can be demonstrated that they will maintain the diversity, viability and vitality of the Town or District Centre. Proposals for non Use Class E uses within Secondary Commercial, Business, and Service Frontages must include active frontages, attract a high footfall consistent with other main town centre uses and positively contribute to the function of the Town or District Centre.
  • The scale and type of any development proposals should be proportionate to the position of the relevant centre in the hierarchy.
  • The Council will not permit the change of use of shops as identified within Use Class F2, unless it can be demonstrated that:
    1. there is no demand for the shop; or
    2. a shop of comparable nature will be provided in the locality; or
    3. the new use would meet an identified need for community facilities or services.
  • Out of Centre development
    1. All proposals for main town centre uses outside of defined Town and District Centres, including edge of centre or out of centre development, will be subject to sequential testing as required by national planning policy and will only be permitted where:
      • there is a demonstrable need for the development;
      • the proposal satisfies the sequential test;
      • the proposal would not put at risk or harm proposals to safeguard the vitality and viability of any nearby Town and District Centre; and
      • the development would be readily accessible, or will be made so, by a range of transport options, including public transport, cycle and foot.
  • Relevant planning applications for main town centre uses outside of defined Town and District Centres will be required to undertake and provide an impact assessment in accordance with national planning policy.

For more information please see the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2033