Policy information sourced from Redbridge Local Plan

LP9: Ensuring the Future Vitality and Viability of Town Centres

The Council will promote the regeneration of the borough’s town centres and support their vitality and viability by:

  • Providing a minimum 23,911sq.m (net) of new comparison retail foorspace (34,159sq.m gross) and 8,562sq.m (net) of new retail convenience foorspace (12,231sq.m gross) in the borough’s designated town centres;
  • Retaining a strong hierarchy of town centres by directing town centre uses to:
    • The Metropolitan Centre of Ilford, as the key regional centre within the borough, particularly recognises the signifcance of a strong comparison retail sector and encourages a wider mix of uses including leisure, ofce and other commercial uses and community and cultural uses;
    • The District Centres of Barkingside, Gants Hill, South Woodford, Wanstead, Green Lane (part) and Chadwell Heath (part) will be promoted to provide a complementary retail, leisure, ofce and evening ofer; and
    • The Local Centres of Woodford Broadway / Snakes Lane, Woodford Bridge, Woodford Green, Manford Way, Seven Kings, Goodmayes, Ilford Lane and Green Lane and Key Retail Parades predominantly provide a local level of retailing and community facilities.
  • The scale of development proposed in each centre should be appropriate to the role and character of the centre and its catchment. Proposals outside town centres should demonstrate that all in-centre, and then all well connected edge of centre, options have been assessed for their availability, suitability and viability.
  • Promoting town centres as a place for business and networking and supporting initiatives and enterprises that encourage this (see LP14);
  • Supporting high quality shop front design, signage and appearance that contribute to local townscape character (see LP28);
  • Improving access to town centres by a choice of means of transport, particularly sustainable modes such as public transport, cycling and walking (see LP22 and 23); and
  • Improving the town centre public realm to improve the attractiveness connectivity, legibility to enhance local character and identity of each individual town centre (see LP26).

Implementation

Take forward the Redbridge Economic Strategy (2016) which sets out a delivery plan to help promote economic growth and regeneration within the borough’s town centres; and

Monitor the vitality and viability of Ilford Metropolitan Town Centre and the fve District Centres by undertaking Town Centre Health Checks.

For more information please see the Local Plan