Policy information sourced from the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

Policy 18 Development in Centres

A. Development proposals for town centre, community, healthcare, educational and cultural uses will be supported in the borough’s designated centres as delineated by town centre and local centre boundaries where they:

  1. are in keeping with the centre’s role and function within the hierarchy and are of a scale appropriate to the size of the centre, in line with Policy 2 ‘Spatial Strategy: Managing change in the borough (Strategic Policy)’;
  2. retain a ground floor commercial or community use, to maintain and promote the continuity of active frontages at ground floor and / or to provide a direct service to visiting members of the public;
  3. incorporate a flexible design such that the site could respond to changing market demand and requirements to effectively accommodate appropriate alternative uses in the future, helping to enhance the long-term resilience of the centre;
  4. provide unit(s) of a size and format to accommodate town centre uses that will be fit for purpose and viable in the long term, including being adequate in terms of: width of unit, layout, access to facilities for users and servicing;
  5. optimise the potential of the site by contributing a suitable use or mix of uses that enhance the vitality and viability of the centre, particularly where this diversifies the centre’s offer;
  6. do not adversely impact on the vitality and viability of the centre in which the development is proposed, or another centre;
  7. contribute towards employment floorspace, providing suitable provision for small businesses or flexible workspace, where required by policies in ‘Increasing jobs and helping business to grow and bounceback following the pandemic’;
  8. support the Cultural Quarters in Richmond and Twickenham town centres and other existing clusters of cultural facilities and creative industries in our centres, as supported by Policy 26 ‘Visitor Economy ‘;
  9. would not result in an over-concentration of similar uses (such as betting shops, public houses, bars and take-aways) in any one area, where this would result in an adverse cumulative impact on the amenity of nearby users, including residents, in accordance with Policy 19 ‘Managing the Impacts of Development on Surroundings ‘; and
  10. contribute to a safe, secure and inclusive environment.

B. In addition to meeting the criteria set out in Part A of this policy, development proposals for retail (3) uses will be supported where:

  1. In Primary Shopping Areas (PSAs), which have been designated in Town Centres as shown on the Policies Map, the loss of retail floorspace will be resisted. New retail development is encouraged to locate within the PSA or within a Site Allocation which specifies retail, meeting any requirements of that Site Allocation including scale of retail and complying with other policies in this Plan:
  2. the proposal is in accordance with Policy 20 ‘Shops and Services Serving Essential Needs’ in relation to resisting the loss of defined essential shops and services;
  3. the proposal retains or provides a shopfront, or where this is not possible, provides a ‘shop-like’ appearance, to avoid a detrimental visual impact and respect the heritage and character of the centre, in accordance with Policy 28 ‘Local Character and Design Quality (Strategic Policy)’ and shopfronts guidance; and
  4. the proposal integrates with and adds to the physical attractiveness of the area within which it is located, avoiding blank walls and façades.

C. Major development and/or developments which generate high levels of trips should be located within a town centre boundary or Site Allocation meeting the requirements of Policy 17 A2. Elsewhere development within the local centre boundary should serve as more localised provision, which may include opportunities for retail, recreation, and smaller-scale employment uses.

D. Residential uses will be permitted in centres as follows:

  1. High density mixed-use development, including residential, will be supported in appropriate locations, as identified within Site Allocations and Policy 45 ‘Tall and Mid-Rise Building Zones ‘, subject to compliance with Policy 28 ‘Local Character and Design Quality (Strategic Policy)’ and other policies in this Plan.
  2. Conversion to residential of upper floors, the rear of ground floor occupied by a commercial or community use will be permitted, where this can be designed to provide a high level of residential amenity without compromising the existing or potential operation of uses on the ground floor.

E. Existing markets will be protected. New and extended markets will be supported where any negative impacts on the surrounding area (including the operational requirements of existing businesses in the vicinity) can be mitigated.

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 2.

G. Outside of designated centres proposals should satisfy the Sequential Test as set out in national policy and guidance (including extensions to existing retail and leisure developments of more than 200 sqm gross). When assessing proposals for development outside of existing centres, applicants will comply with the requirements of national policy and guidance in relation to impact assessments. For retail and leisure developments, including extensions, of over 500 sqm gross, the Council will require an Impact Assessment. The scope of such assessments will need to be agreed with the Council before submitting a planning application. Applications that fail the sequential test and/or where the impact assessment (where required) demonstrates significant adverse impact will not be permitted.

H. Where necessary and justified, the Council will use conditions and/or planning obligations to limit uses consented within Classes E, F1 or F2 in order to achieve the objectives of this policy and to avoid the proliferation of main town centre uses outside of town centres.

3 ‘Retail’ is defined in the Definitions box at the beginning of the chapter.

For more information please see the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan