Policy information sourced from the Waltham Forest Local Plan

40 Revitalisation, Adaptation and Regeneration in Designated Centres and Parades

Development proposals involving the revitalisation, adaptation and regeneration of the borough’s designated centres/retail parades and other non-designated areas will be encouraged where they seek to achieve the following planning objectives:

A. Consolidation of retail activities within compact retail core areas of the borough’s designated centres;

B. Safeguard the provision of town centre services and facilities in sustainable locations to ensure that residents can meet most of their needs within short walking distance (10 minutes or 800 metres) or a bicycle ride (up to 15 minutes) from homes;

C. In locations where retail or commercial demand no longer exists (as evidenced by vacancies), the conversion of retail and other commercial premises to appropriate alternative uses such as housing, business, leisure, entertainment uses and community uses, subject to other policies of this Plan;

D. Conversion of vacant upper floors of ground floor commercial buildings for housing purposes, where a high quality living environment offering good levels of residential amenity, low noise levels, safe streets and personal security can be created without impeding the development of primary town centre uses such as retail, office and leisure;

E. Conversion or subdivision of vacant commercial floor space to provide flexible adaptive units for occupation by smaller business units with adequate servicing;

F. The development of meanwhile and temporary uses with space provision for small business, art, performance and exhibition as well as for educational and vocational projects and activities;

G. Alignment with town centre strategies and Area Frameworks to deliver positive change, improve business confidence and encourage investment from private and public sectors;

H. Promotion of local distinctiveness with regard to the ‘offer’ of individual centres, their place setting and the development of differentiated niche roles; and

I. Ensuring that replacement uses are well integrated (in function and design) with the remaining frontage to manage the impact of change on townscape character and neighbouring amenity.