Policy information sourced from the Hertsmere Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Plan

SADM48 - Opportunities for Residential Use

The change of use to residential accommodation of ground floor premises will be permitted if:

  • the unit is long term vacant;
  • there is clear evidence to demonstrate that there is no demand for continued retail or commercial use;
  • the unit has been marketed effectively for such use;
  • the site is either outside any designated Key Shopping Area (ref. Table 3: Shopping Hierarchy) or at the outer periphery of a designated Secondary Frontage and would not create or perpetuate a break in the active frontage;
  • local residents would still have access to a range and choice of essential shops and services within the centre or parade, or within reasonable walking distance;
  • in the case of neighbourhood centres and parades and individual shops it is not the last remaining A1 use;
  • the use of the unit for residential purposes is consistent with the function and character of the area;
  • the design of the new frontage is of a high standard which both meets the needs of future occupiers and is sensitive to the appearance of nearby shop fronts; and
  • high quality self-contained residential accommodation with a high standard of amenity for occupiers would be provided, consistent with other policies and standards relating to housing and design.

For more information please see the Hertsmere Policies Plan