Policy information sourced from the Islington Local Plan
R5 Dispersed retail and leisure uses
- The Council will support and protect retail uses located outside designated Town Centres and LSAs. Proposals involving the loss of dispersed retail units and cafes/restaurants – including ground floor, basement and first floor space to non-E main town centre use – must:
- Demonstrate that the premises have been vacant for a continuous period of at least one year. Continuous marketing evidence to cover this period must be provided, to demonstrate that there is no reasonable prospect of the unit being used in its current use or any other suitable E use; and
- provide evidence that there will be accessible provision of essential daily goods (typically convenience retail) within a short walking distance (within 300m).
- Where a new retail development comes forward in some circumstances where there is a particular local need, the council will seek to condition the unit in retail use to provide essential daily goods.
- Proposals for the change of use of dispersed retail or café/restaurant units to residential use will only be considered acceptable where Part A of this policy is satisfied, where high quality dwellings with a high standard of residential amenity will be provided consistent with other policies and standards relating to housing and design.
For more information please see the Islington Local Plan