Policy information sourced from Hackney Local Plan 2033

LP33 Hackney Central and Dalston

New retail, commercial, leisure and cultural development will be permitted within the major town centres of Hackney Central and Dalston.

Any redevelopment of larger A1 retail units over 1,000sqm must re-provide at least the existing quantum of A1 retail floorspace.

Primary Shopping Areas (Dalston)

Comprehensive redevelopment of the Kingsland Shopping Centre Primary Shopping Area in Dalston must re-provide the equivalent or greater quantum of A1 retail floorspace.

Change of use away from A1 retail will be resisted in the Primary Shopping Areas of Kingsland Shopping Centre and Ridley Road Market within Dalston. Any change of use must meet the following criteria:

  1. At least 85% of the units within each Primary Shopping Area must remain in A1 retail use; and
  2. will not result in the equivalent of a group of two or more adjoining standard size shop units being in non-retail (A1) uses; and
  3. must incorporate a shop front; and
  4. must contribute to the vitality and viability of the Primary ShoppingArea.

A change of use may be permitted if the proportion of A1 falls below 85% if it can be demonstrated through at least one year’s marketing evidence in accordance with Appendix 1 that there is no realistic prospect of the unit being used for A1 retail.

Primary Shopping Frontages (Dalston and Hackney Central)

A1 retail uses should be the predominant use within the primary frontages, constituting at least 60% of all units within the primary frontage as a whole. Development involving the loss of A1 uses will only be permitted where the proposal does not result in the overall proportion of A1 falling below 60%, and does not result in the equivalent of a group of two or more adjoining standard size shop units being in non-retail (A1) uses.

A change of use may be permitted if the proportion of A1 falls below 60% if it can be demonstrated through at least one year’s marketing evidence in accordance with Appendix 1 that there is no realistic prospect of the unit being used for A1 retail.

All proposals must incorporate a shop front or have an active frontage and contribute to the vitality and viability of the town centre.

Secondary Shopping Area (Dalston and Hackney Central)

A diversity of A class, commercial, leisure and cultural facilities will be permitted within the secondary shopping areas.

The change of use from retail (A1) will only be permitted where the proposal meets all of the following criteria:

  1. The proposal will not result in the equivalent of a group of three or more adjoining standard size shop units within a parade being in non-retail (A1) uses; and
  2. Individually or cumulatively the development will not have an adverse effect on the vitality and viability of the centre as a whole and/or on the individual shop unit; and
  3. A shop front and active frontage is retained or provided; and
  4. The proposal is for another A-class, commercial/office or community use.

For more information please see the Hackney Local Plan 2033