Policy information sourced from the Harrow Development Management Policies
DM 39: Vacant Shops in Town Centres
In town centres with a vacancy rate exceeding 20% over a continuous period of two or more years, the use of ground floor premises that have been vacant and appropriately marketed for a period of one year will be permitted as follows:
- within the primary shopping frontages of district centres, use for retail, financial & professional activities, restaurants & cafés and take-aways; and
- within the secondary frontages of district centres and designated frontages within local centres, any use appropriate to a town centre and primarily for visiting members of the public.
Proposals for the temporary use of ground floor premises that are vacant will be permitted whilst marketing is undertaken for a period of up to 5 years.
Proposals that would be detrimental to the amenity of neighbouring occupiers (see Policy DM1) or highway safety will not be permitted.
Residential use of ground floor premises in town centres will not be permitted under any circumstances.
For more information please see the Development Management Policies