Policy information sourced from the Medway Local Plan 2003

R1 Chatham - Comparison Retailing

Chatham town centre is identified as a regional scale comparison goods centre. Proposals for retail development which would undermine the strategy for, or the vitality and viability of, Chatham town centre will not be permitted. Major Class A1 comparison proposals (those of over 2,500 sq. metres gross floor space) will not be permitted outside the defined core area of Chatham, as defined on the proposals map.

Proposals for Class A1, A2 and A3 uses or any other uses appropriate in a shopping street will be permitted in the core area subject to:

(i) the proposed use(s) contributing to the vitality and viability of the area; and

(ii) the singular and/or cumulative impact of such uses not being detrimental to the shopping function of the area and the range of facilities provided.

Land at Richard Street, as defined on the proposals map, is allocated for use Class A1 retail development (principally for comparison goods), together with ancillary Class A2 and A3 uses. Proposals should make adequate provision for pedestrian access from the High Street and public car parking.

Exceptionally, schemes on the edge of the core area (defined as within 200-300 metres of the boundary) will be permitted subject to:

(iii) it being demonstrated that the development proposed cannot be accommodated within the core area; and 195 

(iv) the use, the site location and layout being related directly to the core area to complement the vitality and viability of the centre as a whole.