Policy information sourced from the Hounslow Local Plan Part 1

TC5 - MANAGING NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRES AND ISOLATED LOCAL SHOPS

Our approach

We will maintain and improve neighbourhood centres to meet the key day-to-day shopping and service needs of local communities and protect isolated local shops, to contribute to sustainable development and local character in the borough’s residential areas.

We will achieve this by

  • Protecting the retail and community functions of neighbourhood centres (shown in Figure TC1.2 and listed in Appendix 5) to meet key day-to-day needs of local residents;
  • Protecting isolated local shops, particularly where they are located in areas more than 400m/5 minutes walking distance of a town or neighbourhood centre, or alternative local shopping provision;
  • Retaining the retail function of neighbourhood centres by ensuring at least 50% of units are in A1 retail use having regard to the vitality and vibrancy of the centre;
  • Supporting businesses that provide for the key day-to-day shopping needs of local residents, with the aim that neighbourhood centres adequately serve the needs of local residents, workers and businesses;
  • Encouraging new, small scale shops that meet key day-to-day needs in identified neighbourhood local centres;
  • Work with stakeholders, including local residents and businesses, partners to make improvements to the public realm and accessibility of neighbourhood centres, to ensure they contribute to local character and identity, and provide good links to surrounding residential areas; and
  • Considering the cumulative impact of proposals on the vitality and vibrancy of neighbourhood centres and the amenity of local residents, particularly avoiding the overconcentration of non-retail uses such as hot food takeaways.

We will expect development proposals to

  • Ensure that at least 50% of units are in retail uses in neighbourhood centres, demonstrating the contribution the proposed use will make in terms of its value to the local community, meeting wider local service or business needs, and enhancing the neighbourhood centre’s vitality; and
  • Demonstrate the availability of alternative shopping provision in a town or neighbourhood centre within 400m/5 minutes walking distance where change of use from A1 retail is proposed.

Supporting facts

Small neighbourhood centres

Across the borough, small neighbourhood centres have been identified which provide local residents with easily accessible shopping provision that serve day-to-day needs. These centres currently vary in size from four to 33 units, and are generally made up of a row (sometimes on both sides of a road) or small cluster of units. They contain an average of nearly 55% A1 retail units, whilst 26% of other units also provide services for local communities. All contain at least two shops (including newsagents, post offices, grocery stores/mini-supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, greengrocers or chemists). These centres also perform well, with low vacancy rates.

Large neighbourhood centres

Large neighbourhood centres have a different character to small neighbourhood centres, in part due to their size (they contain at least 37 units). They provide a larger range of shops and services, with a good range of shops serving local residents. All contain five or more units that serve key day to day shopping needs, as well as other uses that serve local needs such as banks, doctors’ or dentists’ surgeries. They are formed by strong cluster of shops that may surround a focal point (for example the war memorial in Heston, or Upper Square and Isleworth Public Hall in Old Isleworth).

For more information please see the Hounslow Local Plan Part 1