Policy information sourced from the Kingston Town Centre Area Action Plan Chapter 5
K2: SHOPPING FRONTAGES AND USE OF FLOORS ABOVE SHOPS
The Council will control the use of premises in shopping streets through the exercise of its planning powers to safeguard and enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre:
- Primary Frontages: proposals for a change of use, including through redevelopment, from retail (Class A1) to other uses at ground fl oor level will not be permitted
- Secondary Frontages: proposals for a change of use, including through redevelopment, from retail (Class A1) to fi nancial and professional services (Class A2) or restaurants and cafes (Class A3) at ground fl oor level will be permitted, provided that the proposal would not result in a concentration of non-retail uses
- Other Frontages: changes of use, including through redevelopment, of existing shops (Class A1) to other uses appropriate to a shopping frontage, such as: drinking establishments (Class A4), hot food take-away (Class A5), community service offi ces and meeting places, surgeries and consulting rooms, entertainment and recreation uses, police use and facilities for public administration will be considered on their merits.
The Council will use its planning powers and Supplementary Planning Documents to improve the design of shopfronts to enhance the quality of the streetscene.
Planning permission will be granted for the change of use of upper fl oors above shops to residential, offi ces or other appropriate service or community uses, which maintain or enhance the character and vitality of the centre and broaden the range of services.
For more information please see the Kingston Town Centre Area Action Plan Chapter 5