Policy information sourced from Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

LP 27 Local shops and services

  • The Council seeks to protect local shops and services by the following means:
    • Change of use from premises falling within Use Classes A1 to A5 will not be permitted unless:
      • The unit is within 400 metres of a designated shopping frontage; or
      • the existing use is inappropriate in terms of access or amenity and living conditions; or
      • the proposed use would provide a social or community service or function which outweighs the loss of the facility meeting evidence of a local need.
    • New retail units to serve new housing development should be provided within existing centres. Where there is no existing centre within reasonable walking distance (400 metres), a new shop or shops may be required as part of a new housing development.
    • The Council will require satisfactory evidence of full and proper marketing where a proposal does not meet the above criteria. The applicant will be expected to undertake marketing in line with the requirements set out in Appendix 5.

Public Houses

  • The Council will resist the loss of public houses. Before accepting the loss of any public house the Council requires satisfactory evidence of full and proper marketing normally for at least 2 years for a full range of appropriate uses (see policy LP 28 Social Infrastructure). 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