Policy information sourced from The London Plan 2021

E9 Retail, Markets and Hot Food Takeaways

  1. A successful, competitive and diverse retail sector, which promotes sustainable access to goods and services for all Londoners, should be supported in line with the wider objectives of this Plan, particularly for town centres (Policy SD6 Town centres and high streets, Policy SD8 Town centre network, Policy SD7 Town centres: development principles and Development Plan Documents and Policy SD9 Town centres: Local partnerships and implementation).
  2. In Development Plans, boroughs should:
    • identify future requirements and locations for new retail development having regard to the town centre policies in this Plan and strategic and local evidence of demand and supply
    • identify areas for consolidation of retail space where this is surplus to requirements
    • set out policies and site allocations to secure an appropriate mix of shops and other commercial units of different sizes, informed by local evidence and town centre strategies. Particular consideration should be given to the contribution large-scale commercial development proposals (containing over 2,500 sq.m. gross A Use Class floorspace) can make to the provision of small shops and other commercial units. Where justified by evidence of local need, policies should secure affordable commercial and shop units.
  3. Development Plans and development proposals should:
    • bring forward capacity for additional comparison goods retailing particularly in International, Metropolitan and Major town centres
    • support convenience retail in all town centres, and particularly in District, Local and Neighbourhood centres, to secure inclusive neighbourhoods and a sustainable pattern of provision where there is less need to travel
    • provide a policy framework to enhance local and neighbourhood shopping facilities and prevent the loss of retail and related facilities that provide essential convenience and specialist shopping
    • identify areas under-served in local convenience shopping and related services and support additional facilities to serve existing or new residential communities in line with town centre Policy SD7 Town centres: development principles and Development Plan Documents
    • support London’s markets in their full variety, including street markets, covered markets, specialist and farmers’ markets, complementing other measures to improve their management, enhance their offer and contribute to local identity and the vitality of town centres and the Central Activities Zone
    • manage existing edge-of-centre and out-of-centre retail (and leisure) by encouraging comprehensive redevelopment for a diverse mix of uses in line with Policy SD6 Town centres and high streets, Policy Policy SD8 Town centre network, Policy SD7 Town centres: development principles and Development Plan Documents and Policy SD9 Town centres: Local partnerships and implementation to realise their full potential for housing intensification, reducing car use and dependency, and improving access by walking, cycling and public transport
    • manage clusters of retail and associated uses having regard to their positive and negative impacts on the objectives, policies and priorities of the London Plan including:
      • town centre vitality, viability and diversity
      • sustainability and accessibility
      • place-making or local identity
      • community safety or security
      • mental and physical health and wellbeing.
  4. Development proposals containing A5 hot food takeaway uses should not be permitted where these are within 400 metres walking distance from the entrances and exits of an existing or proposed primary or secondary school. Boroughs that wish to set a locally-determined boundary from schools must ensure this is sufficiently justified. Boroughs should also carefully manage the over-concentration of A5 hot food takeaway uses within town centres and other areas through the use of locally-defined thresholds in Development Plans.
  5. Where development proposals involving A5 hot food takeaway uses are permitted, boroughs should encourage operators to comply with the Healthier Catering Commitment standards. Where justified, boroughs should ensure compliance with the Healthier Catering Commitment through use of a condition.
  6. Development proposals involving the redevelopment of surplus retail space should support other planning objectives and include alternative town centre uses on the ground floor where viable (and in accordance with town centre Policy SD7 Town centres: development principles and Development Plan Documents) and residential development.

For more information please see The London Plan 2021