Policy information sourced from Twickenham Area Action Plan

TWP1 Policy for Retail Development in Twickenham

The Council will seek to enhance retailing in the town centre through supporting proposals which either enhance the specialist role of Twickenham by providing a limited number of small retail units within the retail core or provide for the expansion or upgrading of existing units to meet modern needs. Retailing proposals outside the designated frontages will not normally be acceptable. Permanent and temporary markets will be encouraged in suitable locations where they will enhance the town centre offer.

Justification

Rather than a major increase in retail floor space, which would not be justified within the Plan period, the focus will be on consolidating and supporting the main retail core and the specialist areas, by continuing to protect Key Frontages in retail use and encouraging small new specialist units, in appropriate locations to extend the retail offer. The upgrading of existing shopping will be welcomed, e.g. to create suitable size units for modern needs, to enhance or improve the outer appearance at ground and upper levels, to provide more active frontage by visually opening up to the street, to improve disabled access or servicing arrangements, and internal upgrades and modernisation to allow the business to run more effectively in the future.The provision of markets, whether permanent or temporary, full or part time can increase the variety of activity and retail offer in a centre, but they need to be appropriately located to attract footfall, enhance the centre and not detract from existing businesses. Relevant town centre and retail policies within the Core Strategy and Development Management Plan will also apply.

For more information please see the Action Plan