Policy information sourced from Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan
LP 26 Retail Frontages Primary
The Council has designated parts of centres as Key Shopping Frontage or Secondary Shopping Frontage. These frontages are identified on the Policies Map and the relevant addresses listed in Appendix 4.
Key Shopping Frontages
A: Proposals that result in a loss of floorspace in Use Class A1 in Key Shopping Frontages will be resisted. Other uses converting to retail will be supported, subject to there being no adverse impact on the centre. The Council will seek to retain key facilities including Post Offices.
Secondary Shopping Frontages
B: A non-A1 proposal will be acceptable in the secondary shopping frontages only if it:
- meets community needs (such as a dentist, clinic or health centre, veterinary surgery, gym, fitness studio and facilities which would enable the public better access to police services) and provides a direct service to visiting members of the public, or
- falls within Use Classes A2 to A5, or
- is another commercial use which provides a direct service to visiting members of the public without appointment.
In addition to (A) or (B) above, the proposal must meet the following criteria:
- the proposed use should retain a ‘shop-like’ appearance; it should not have a detrimental visual impact on the shopfront and should respect the heritage and character of the centre, taking into account the Village Planning Guidance SPDs;
- the proposed use has to be complementary to the area’s shopping function and provide a direct service to the public; and
- it will not create an unbroken run of three or more non-A1 units.
Over-concentration of uses and impact on amenity
C: The Council will resist proposals that result in an over-concentration of similar uses (such as betting shops, estate agents, restaurants, public houses, bars and take-aways) in any one area and/or would result in an adverse impact on the amenity of nearby users as well as surrounding residential areas, including an adverse cumulative effect.
There are areas of the borough where certain changes of use (including significant extensions in floorspace) will no longer be allowed due to existing concentrations. These include, but are not limited to, the following frontages and/or areas subject to specific restrictions:
| Use Class to be restricted | Frontage or area subject to specific restrictions |
|---|---|
| A3 and A4 | 112-196 (Even) High Street, Teddington |
| A3 | 90 - 112 (Even) Kew Road, Richmond |
| A3 | 27 - 32 (Consecutive) The Quadrant, Richmond |
| A3 and A4 | Richmond Riverside - Thameside, south from Richmond Bridge as far as Buccleugh Gardens. |
| A4 and A5 | 1 - 59 (Odd) and 2-40 (Even) York Street, Twickenham |
| A4 and A5 | 1 - 65 (Odd) and 2-50 (Even) London Road, Twickenham |
| A5 | 1 - 65 (Odd) and 2-50 (Even) London Road, Twickenham |
The above areas will be kept under review. Proposals for mixed A1/A3 uses within the above areas will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Shops selling essential goods/Post Offices
D: In secondary shopping frontages in smaller centres including local parades, changes of use from shops selling (or whose last occupant sold) essential goods to non-A1 uses will be resisted if there is no similar alternative within 400 metres. This applies even if the proposal is acceptable in terms of criteria B & C above.
Changes of use in non-designated frontages where policy LP 27 does not apply
E: The Council will consider favourably applications for change of use to any non-A1 use which is a commercial or community use compatible with the retail function of the centre.
Marketing requirement for changes of use
F: Where a proposal involves a change of use not supported by policy, the Council will require satisfactory evidence of full and proper marketing of the site. The applicant will be expected to undertake marketing in line with the requirements set out in Appendix 5.
For more information please see the Local Plan