Policy information sourced from Tonbridge Central Area Action Plan
TCA3 Primary Shopping Area
The Primary Shopping Area, as defined on the Proposals Map, will be the preferred location for new and up-graded shopping development, subject to policies TCA1, TCA2 and TCA11. Within this area planning permission will be granted where this:
- complements Tonbridge’s role and function as an identified regional centre by adding to the quality or range of goods to be sold and/or adds to the quality and quantity of goods available and thereby contributes to the vitality and viability of the Town Centre;
- maintains or enhances the proportion of retail use (A1) at ground floor level;
- maximises use of all available space at ground floor and above, while limiting the impact of non-retail uses at ground floor level within a continuous block, as identified in Fig 5, when this will detract from the retail character of that block;
- integrates the retail potential of the Botany Quarter with the High Street and its urban hinterland;
- demonstrates that proposals which would result in the loss of retail (A1) and food and drink uses (A3/A4) at ground floor level within the Primary Shopping Area would benefit the overall vitality and viability of the Town Centre as a whole in terms of its attractiveness and competitiveness;
- involves redevelopment of existing retail premises in the High Street, where retail remains the primary use at ground floor level, and where the scale of redevelopment will maintain the overall range and variety of available retail premises and will not detract from the function and character of the Town Centre shopping areas due to prominence and/or length of frontage of the unit.
For more information please see the Central Area Action Plan