Policy information sourced from Runnymede Local Plan

IE14: Shops and Parades Outside Defined Centres

Development proposals that enhance the community function of shops and parades located outside centres defined on the Policies Map will be supported.

Where it is proposed to change the use of a shop outside a centre, the applicant will be expected to accompany their application with a robust assessment of its value to the local community. If the shop fulfils a function or benefit to the local community, development proposals must provide credible and robust evidence of at least 6 months marketing for retail use before an alternative use will be considered.

Where evidence suggests that a shop does not fulfil a function or benefit for the local community, or where a community benefit exists to changing the use of a shop to another use, marketing evidence will not be required.

Where there is a sustained high level of vacancy with more than 50% of the units in a parade having been vacant for more than twelve months, residential or other uses at ground floor level may be considered.

For more information please see the Local Plan