Policy information sourced from Runnymede Local Plan

IE6: Town Centre Development

Within the three town centres:

Proposals for development within the primary shopping areas, as defined on the Policies Map, will be permitted where they improve the quality and broaden the range of retail and leisure facilities, to enhance the role of the town centres as sustainable shopping and leisure destinations and strengthen their vitality and viability.

The Primary Shopping Frontages as defined on the Policies Map will be the focus for A1 uses (shops). Development proposals for use classes A2 to A5 within the Primary Shopping Frontages will only be permitted where a minimum of 65% of the total units are retained in A1 use. Other town centre uses and residential uses will not be permitted on the ground floor within the Primary Shopping Frontages.

Development proposals for use classes A2 to A5 and other town centre uses within the secondary shopping frontages, will only be permitted where a minimum of 30% of the total units are retained in A1 use. Residential uses will only be permitted on the ground floor within the Secondary Shopping Frontages where the use would not harm the vitality or viability of the centre.

Appropriately designed development proposals for residential use on upper floors will be encouraged.

Development proposals should make a positive contribution to the townscape of the centre in which it is proposed and should accord with the criteria set out in policy EE1: Townscape and Landscape Quality.

Proposals for development within or which impact on listed buildings and/or conservation areas must accord with the criteria set out in policy EE5 Conservation Areas and policy EE4 listed buildings.

Major town centre redevelopment schemes as set out in the town centre allocations policy IE7 – IE11 will be supported where they accord with the above criteria and ensure delivery of high quality buildings and spaces that make a positive contribution to the character and function of the relevant town centre and the quality of its urban environment.

For more information please see the Local Plan