Policy information sourced from The London Plan 2021

SD8 Town Centre Network

  1. The changing roles of town centres should be proactively managed in relation to the town centre network as a whole (see Figure 2.17 and Annex 1). This process should support sustainable economic growth across the Greater London boundary to enhance the vitality and viability of London’s centres and complement those in the Wider South East.
  2. Identified deficiencies in the London town centre network can be addressed by promoting centres to function at a higher level in the network, designating new centres (see Annex 1) or reassessing town centre boundaries (see Policy SD7 Town centres: development principles and Development Plan Documents). Diversification in centres with current or projected declining demand for commercial, particularly retail, floorspace should be supported. These centres may be reclassified at a lower level in the hierarchy through a coordinated approach with local planning authorities.
  3. The classification of International, Metropolitan and Major town centres (see Annex 1) can only be changed through the London Plan. Potential future changes to the strategic town centre network are set out in Figure A1.1 in Annex 1. Changes to District, Local, Neighbourhood centres and CAZ Retail Clusters can be brought forward through Local Plans where supported by evidence in development capacity assessments and town centre health checks and subject to assessments of retail impact where appropriate (see Policy SD7 Town centres: development principles and Development Plan Documents).
  4. International, Metropolitan and Major town centres should be the focus for the majority of higher order comparison goods retailing, whilst securing opportunities for higher density employment, leisure and residential development in a high quality environment.
  5. District centres should focus on the consolidation of a viable range of functions, particularly convenience retailing, leisure, social infrastructure, local employment and workspace, whilst addressing the challenges of new forms of retailing and securing opportunities to realise their potential for higher density mixed-use residential development and improvements to their environment.
  6. Local and neighbourhood centres should focus on providing convenient and attractive access by walking and cycling to local goods and services needed on a day-to-day basis.
  7. Boroughs and other stakeholders should have regard to the broad policy guidelines for individual town centres in Annex 1 including:
    • indicative growth potential (commercial and residential)
    • centres associated with the Areas for Regeneration (see Policy SD10 Strategic and local regeneration)
    • night-time economy roles (see Policy HC6 Supporting the night-time economy)
    • viable office locations including those with strategic office development potential and/or need to retain existing office functions in light of office to residential permitted development rights (see Policy E1 Offices).

For more information please see The London Plan 2021