Policy information sourced from the Islington Development Management Policies

DM4.5 Primary and Secondary Frontages

The council recognises Primary Frontages and Secondary Frontages, which represent the core of the borough’s four Town Centres. These are designated on the Policies Map, described in Appendix 2 and shown on Maps 4.1 to 4.4.

A) Within the Primary Frontages proposals to change the use of existing retail premises (Use Class A1) will not be permitted unless all the following criteria are satisfied:

  • The resulting proportion of retail units in the Primary Frontage would not fall below 70% in Major Town Centres and 60% in District Town Centres;
  • The proposed Change of Use would not result in a break in continuity of retail frontage of more than one non-retail unit in any frontage;
  • The premises has been vacant for a period of at least 2 years and continuous marketing evidence for this 2 year vacancy period is provided and demonstrates that there is no realistic prospect of the unit being used for retail (A1) purposes;
  • Individually or cumulatively the proposed use would not have a harmful effect on the predominantly retail function and character of the Town Centre, and its vitality and viability; and
  • All proposed uses at ground floor level would provide an active frontage and would clearly support the retail role of the frontage.

Within the Secondary Frontages the council will retain the general retail (Use Class A1) character of the frontage while permitting a limited number of non-retail units. Proposals to change the use of existing retail premises will not be permitted unless all of the following criteria are satisfied:

  • The resulting proportion of retail units would not fall below 50% in the secondary frontage;
  • The proposed Change of Use would not result in a break in continuity of retail frontage of more than two non-retail units in any frontage;
  • The premises has been vacant for a period of at least 2 years and continuous marketing evidence for this 2 year vacancy period is provided and demonstrates that there is no realistic prospect of the unit being used for retail (A1) purposes;
  • Individually or cumulatively the proposed use would not have a harmful effect on the retail function and character of the Town Centre, and its vitality and viability; and
  • The proposed use on the ground floor would provide an active frontage.

For more information please see the Islington Development Management Policies