Policy information sourced from Three Rivers Core Strategy

CP7 Town Centres and Shopping

Where there is an identified need for new town centre development, Town and District centres will be the focus for this development. Retail development will specifically be directed to within the Primary Frontages of these centres.

Proposals for new town centre and shopping development will be considered taking into account:

  • The location of the proposed development with preference given to centrally located and accessible areas, served by a range of transport modes including public transport
  • The impact of development on the viability and vitality of existing centres and local shops
  • The appropriateness of the type and scale of development in relation to the centre and its role, function, character and catchment area.

The hierarchy of retail centres and their established character and diversity will be maintained through:

  • Protecting and enhancing the vitality and viability of the retail cores of the town and district centres by generally resisting the loss of Class A1 retail uses particularly within their Primary Frontages
  • Promoting uses which are complementary to the Primary Frontages, normally within adjoining Secondary Frontages
  • Taking account of the contribution of non-retail uses to the vitality and viability of centres, having regard to market conditions and impacts on local amenity
  • Protecting and enhancing existing Local Centres and other local shops which cater for local day-to-day needs
  • Resisting any future out-of-town retailing that would adversely affect existing centres.

Projected increases in expenditure and population will be accommodated and should be spread between all centres so that each becomes increasingly self-sufficient in the provision for day-to-day needs, so reducing the need to travel.

This means providing additional comparison (non-food) floorspace, equating to a net gain of around 2,000 square metres by 2021. The target provision over forthcoming five-year periods will be broadly as follows:

  • 1050 square metres by 2016
  • 950 square metres between 2016- 2021.

These targets will be reviewed regularly and amended in light of new evidence in relation to forecast expenditure and population. Proposals that would result in provision over and above these targets will be considered on their merits taking into account their appropriateness in scale and function to the relevant centre.

With regard to convenience (food) shopping:

  • Proposals for any major convenience (food) floorspace (over 1,000sq metres) over the Plan period will generally be resisted
  • Smaller scale local convenience stores coming forward will be considered on their merits taking into account the criteria listed above.

For more information please see the Three Rivers Core Strategy