Policy information sourced from Lewisham Development Management Local Plan
DM Policy 16 Local shopping parades and corner shops
The Council will require the retention of Class A1 shops located in a local shopping parade or operated as a corner shop in order to preserve or enhance the local character and support the provision of essential daily goods and services, unless an applicant can demonstrate:
- the availability of similar alternative shopping facilities within a comfortable walking distance (approximately 400 metres or less)
- a balance to the number and type of units within the parade
- that reasonable attempts have been made to market vacant shop units, for more than 12 months, at an appropriate rent
- the replacement use will result in no harm to the amenity of adjoining properties.
A change of use to residential at ground floor will only be permitted:
- at the end of a row of a retail parade, but not in corner shops, in order to preserve the continuity of retail frontage, and
- where the design and materials of the residential frontage is of the highest quality and relate well to the proportion, scale and detailing of the entire host building, adjoining buildings and make a positive contribution to the streetscape.
For more information please see the Local Plan