Policy information sourced from the Medway Local Plan 2003

R13 Retail Uses and the Sequential Approach

Retail development outside the main retail centres will only be permitted when it is demonstrated that sites suitable for the proposed retail development are not available in accordance with the following sequence:

(i) within the Core Areas of Chatham, Strood, Gillingham and Rainham; then

(ii) on the edge (i.e. within 200-300 metres) of the core Areas of Chatham, Strood, Gillingham and Rainham; then

(iii) within or adjacent to one of the Local Centres, Village and Neighbourhood Centres as listed in policy R10.

Development will be assessed in accordance with the following criteria:

(iv) the extent to which the proposal would undermine the strategy and objectives of the local plan to sustain and enhance the vitality and viability of existing centres; and

(v) whether the scale and type of retailing by itself, or cumulatively with other proposals, would have a detrimental impact on the vitality and viability of the Core Areas, Local Centres, Villages or Neighbourhood Centres; and

(vi) whether the location enables access by a choice of transport, including public transport;

(vii) the overall impact on travel, the likely changes in travel patterns and reduction in the reliance on the car.